Prolific burglar has sentence extended

A prolific burglar has had his prison sentence extended by more than two years after admitting a further crime. 

Gareth Farrington, 37, was originally jailed for six years and two months in March last year for burglary and handling stolen goods.

However, he was linked to a further burglary in Shelford Road, Trumpington, Cambridge, in 2022, where two watches were stolen as well as numerous items of jewellery.

Watch: Body-worn footage of Gareth Farrington being arrested in October 2022. 

Farrington had forced open some French doors at the back of the house between Thursday, 14 April, and Sunday, 24 April. 

He refused to have the offence taken into consideration, when he was questioned about the other crimes, even when his DNA was found on the door handles.

Farrington’s partner, Rachel McGill, 32, who was also jailed in March last year, for handling stolen goods offences, took the stolen items to a pawnbrokers.

Pictured: Gareth Farrington, 37. 

The pawnbroker receipts for the watches and jewellery were found at Farrington’s home in Chesterton Road, in October 2022.

The stolen items were recovered from the pawnbrokers and returned to the victims.

On Thursday (11 April), at Cambridge Crown Court, Farrington, was jailed for a further two years and four months, having admitted a count of burglary.

McGill, of Crabtree, Paston, Peterborough, received a community order after admitting handling stolen goods.

DC Zoe Bramley said: “Farrington has caused so much pain and misery for his victims across the south of the county by invading their homes and stealing property. 

“This additional sentence means people will be kept safe from him for a bit longer.

“Tackling burglary is a force priority and we will do everything within our power to catch offenders and help put them before the courts.”

To protect your home, visit the home security advice section on the force website.