'When I told (my son) I may have to go to jail it broke my heart'

Steven D. Shaw Jr., in restraints, is led to a waiting elevator en route to Strafford County Jail. (Rochester Voice photos)

DOVER - A Maine man who pleaded guilty on Thursday to two Rochester house burglaries in April begged the court for a suspended sentence, saying it "broke my heart" when he told his 12-year-old son on Wednesday night, "Daddy may have to go to jail for a while."

Steven D. Shaw Jr., 33, of High Street, Berwick, spoke softly while addressing the court at length, reading from a prepared text and saying he felt horrible about having committed the burglaries, which were both at the expense of relatives who live on Old Dover Road.

But Strafford County Superior Court Judge Steven M. Houran noted there had to be consequences for his actions, sentencing Shaw to 12 months in the Strafford County Jail, the sentence to begin immediately.

Steven Shaw apologizes for twice burglarizing relatives' Rochester home as his public defender looks on during the sentencing portion of his hearing on Thursday.

As Shaw was ushered out he tried to get his coat from his mom sitting in the courtroom, but deputies allowed no contact and whisked him away to a waiting jail transport vehicle.

The sad scene ended a painful guilty plea and sentencing hearing at which the relatives who were victims of the burglaries urged a stiffer sentence saying, family heirlooms had been stolen, that their teenage children were now fearful in their own home and that everyone, even their own children, had to see there are consequences for your actions.

Shaw's public defender had asked for a 12 month jail sentence fully suspended for three years, saying being convicted of a felony and facing a long probation were penalties enough that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Houran noted to the court that if Shaw had broken into the house just once, he may have gotten away with a suspended sentence, but not twice.

"I know this isn't the outcome you were hoping for," Houran said looking at Shaw.

The sentence includes two years of probation after he is released from jail, full restitution for the belongings lost and to have no contact with the victim.

Shaw was first arrested in the breakins on April 24 when the owner notified police he was on vacation and watching the crime unfold in real time on security footage uploaded to his mobile device.

At the time of the arrest Rochester Police Capt. Jason Thomas said the homeowner watched as Shaw was seen in the process of stealing undisclosed items.

When officers arrived on scene, they found Shaw outside near the home's back door but with no stolen items. Thomas said Shaw was taken into custody without incident.

Shaw was never charged with theft, because it couldn't be proved, but the homeowners said other things were taken in an earlier burglary on April 4.

"The video basically shows he knew police had arrived, so he technically did not leave the house with any items," Thomas said at the time of the arrest.

Shaw, while incarcerated, will at some point be able to apply for work release, Houran said.