Burglar caught walking in town with hoard of stolen goods

A burglar caught walking through Cambridge with a hoard of stolen goods has been jailed.

Off duty police officers spotted James Young near the Grafton Centre on 28 January and knowing he was wanted for a number of crimes, called for backup.

The 34-year-old was arrested after a mobile phone, watches, jewellery and personal documents were recovered from him linking him to burglaries and attempted burglaries which had taken place in Histon Road, Nuns Road and Milton Road in Cambridge and Iceni Way in Orchard Park between 28 December and 3 January.

Young was also linked to the theft of a white Carrera Crossfire hybrid bike worth £250 from Nuns Way after he was identified on CCTV riding the bike.

At Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday (14 June), Young, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of handling stolen goods, possession of cannabis and bike theft.

PC Andy Smith, from the Acquisitive Crime Team, said: “Burglary is a hugely impactive crime on victims.

“Young is a prolific offender. When last released from prison he was supported by the integrated offender management team with seeking accommodation and a job. Rather than using this opportunity to rehabilitate, he returned to crime.

“We hope this time in prison will allow him to reflect on his actions and turn his life around.”