Gloucester burglar sentenced for break-ins in city

A Gloucester man has appeared in court after admitting to almost 20 burglaries in the city.

Ethan Jenkins, aged 26 and of no fixed address, had pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, one count of interfering with a motor vehicle and one count of criminal damage valued at less than £5,000.

He appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (12 March) where he was sentenced.

Police had been called to the Hungry Bean Café on Catherine Street, Gloucester, at 5.15am on Tuesday 4 February.

Two glass panels had been smashed overnight and a Lenovo tablet and silver blow torch had been stolen.

Ring doorbell footage revealed Jenkins pushing a wheelie bin outside of the café, hitting a car parked outside in the process. It was believed that Jenkins was using the bin to hide the break-in.

He was also seen trying the handles of the car, but he failed to gain entry.

Police received a second call at around 7.05am from Gloucester Cobblers in St Aldgate Street. Again a glass panel in a door had been smashed and nearby CCTV showed Jenkins crawling into the property before leaving holding a large white item.

A cash register, containing £100 in cash, including £40 in coins, were stolen from the property.

CCTV operators spotted Jenkins on Eastgate Street at around 8.40am, wearing clothes that matched those he was seen wearing in earlier footage.

He was arrested and found to have £33.25 in coins on him. A silver blow torch was later discovered at his address.

Although he initially refused to comment during police interviews, he later pleaded guilty to the burglaries.

In addition, a further 17 counts of burglary which Jenkins admitted to committing were also taken into account by the court.

Jenkins was given three months in prison, suspended for 18 months, for each burglary, and a week in prison, also suspended for 18 months, for both the criminal damage and interfering with a vehicle.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs in addition to a £154 surcharge.

Police Constable Josh Govier from the Reactive Investigation Team said: "This behaviour within our communities will not be tolerated. We will take the appropriate steps to protect businesses, the public and our communities within our county."