Burglar jailed after officers recognised him from CCTV

A 25-year-old man has been jailed for three years after police officers recognised him from CCTV captured at the scene of a burglary.

Jack Bradley, of no fixed address, also left his fingerprints at the scene of another burglary.

He admitted to committing these two burglaries, along with five others which were taken into consideration upon his sentencing.

One of the burglaries happened in Evesham, Worcestershire on 30 September last year when Bradley broke into an 85-year-old woman's home while she was out.

Bradley smashed a window to gain entry, and he stole several items including jewellery, a silver tea set and a mobile phone.

A forensic investigator from West Mercia Police attended and found fingerprints at the scene which were later matched to Bradley.

A month later on 25 October, Bradley burgled a home in Colesbourne near Cheltenham. He had fled the scene with a large black duffel bag which contained thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, watches and a camera belonging to the homeowners.

The victims provided CCTV to police and Gloucestershire Constabulary officers recognised Bradley from the footage. He was later arrested in Cheltenham whilst in possession of other suspected stolen items.

During a hearing in court on 19 January, Bradley pleaded guilty to the two burglaries, and he was sentenced at Cirencester Courthouse last week (Wednesday 24 April).

He admitted to committing five other burglaries within Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Oxfordshire, which were taken into consideration when he was sentenced. 

The court was told that Bradley had been homeless and had been going through a difficult time when the offences took place, and that he is now looking to take this opportunity to turn his life around.

PC Laura Northfield, from the Stroud and Cotswolds Vanguard team, said: "Burglary is an awful, invasive crime which not only has a financial impact on victims, but can leave people feeling vulnerable in their own homes. This is a positive result and a case that shows how neighbouring police forces work in partnership to bring criminals to justice."