Burglar caught hours after plundering flat

A burglar who was caught by one of his victims just hours after the crime has been jailed.

Mark King, 34, stole an HP laptop, Samsung mobile phone, Apple watch, a metal card wallet and £5 from a flat inside King’s Gate House, in Cowgate, Peterborough, at about 2am on Wednesday, 22 November.

The victim was asleep at the time but woke at about 4am and found the items missing.

Pictured: Mark King, 34. 

King was seen to enter the building on the complex’s CCTV system, climbing the stairs to the flat and six hours later after reviewing the CCTV footage, the landlord spotted him in the City Centre, recognising his red rucksack and long hair.

He was also wearing the same clothes.

The landlord called police and stayed on the line to guide officers in.

King was arrested but none of the stolen property was found with him.

On Monday (22 January), at Huntingdon Law Court, King, of Swanspool, Ravensthorpe, Peterborough, was jailed for three years, having pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary.

DC Jeremy Turner, who investigated, said: “Burglars cause utter misery for victims as they violate their homes and steal their property so I am glad King has faced justice.

“Tackling burglary is a force priority and we will not tolerate it in Cambridgeshire.”

For home security advice, please visit the dedicated section of the force website.