Man with 26 dates of birth forced to reveal true identity

A judge had refused to sentence him at an earlier hearing after discovering how many different names and dates of birth he had provided to the authorities

15:06, 29 Apr 2026Updated 07:19, 30 Apr 2026

A “thoroughly dishonest man” with dozens of different names and dates of birth has gone into the witness box of a crown court to confirm his true identity.

Anthony Maughan was due to be sentenced earlier in April for a spree of commercial burglaries across south Wales, but a judge refused to proceed until the defendant’s details were established, and ordered him to come to court to testify on oath.

Swansea Crown Court heard Maughan had 42 aliases and 26 different dates of birth recorded for him on various criminal justice systems and databases, something the judge said was “concerning”.

The court has previously heard that over an 18-day period in January and February this year Maughan burgled 10 business premises across south Wales.

In Cardiff he targeted the Giggling Squid restaurant, a Tesco Express shop, Castle Welsh Crafts shop, Total Asia restaurant, and Cote Brasserie; in Bridgend he burgled a branch of Costa Coffee; in Neath he burgled Kumar Stores; and in Swansea he broke into an Aldi supermarket, Fresco Cafe, and Green Room restaurant next to Swansea Arena.

A number of the burglaries saw the defendant entering staff-only areas while the businesses were open and helping himself to staff possessions, but on a number of occasions he forced entry to premises through rear doors or fire exits while they were closed.

Among the haul of items stolen by Maughan during the spree were bank cards, quantities of cash, jackets and trainers, keys, phones, meats and cheeses, and bottles of whisky, vodka, and champagne. For the latest court stories sign up to our crime newsletter

During the same spree Maughan also stole items from the cab of a lorry while the driver was making a delivery in Cardiff city centre.

The court heard the defendant – whose age has now been established as 43 – was identified as the culprit in the spree of offending by CCTV evidence.

When Maughan appeared in Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday – having first been driven by prison transport to Cardiff Crown Court and then Newport Crown Court – he went into the witness box and confirmed on oath his correct date of birth.

Anthony Paul Maughan, formerly of Cae Garw caravan site, in Pyle, Bridgend, but now of no fixed abode had previously pleaded guilty to 10 counts of non-dwelling burglary and one of theft when he returned to the dock for sentencing. He has 48 previous convictions for 99 offences including 51 of theft and kindred matters.

In September last year he was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison for two non-dwelling burglaries, and the following month was given a 12-month conditional discharge for burglary of a commercial premises with intent to steal.

Rhodri Chudleigh, for Maughan, said that since being remanded into custody in February the defendant had been working with drugs agencies. He said though the defendant had been sofa surfing in recent times it was hoped he could return to the family home in the Cae Garw site.

Judge Huw Rees said that shortly after being given a “chance” with a conditional discharge for commercial burglary, the defendant had embarked on a “catalogue” of like offending.

He said that a pre-sentence report detailed the defendant’s chaotic lifestyle, unsettled accommodation, and substance misuse issues and had concluded that his behaviour was “entrenched” and structured intervention was needed if there was to be a hope of rehabilitation.

The judge said it was “concerning” that Maughan had 42 aliases and 26 different dates of birth recorded on various systems.

Maughan, he said, was a “thoroughly dishonest man” and he told him: “You are a prolific offender – to say otherwise would be an understatement.”

With discounts for his guilty pleas, Maughan was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

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