Cambridge bike thief sentenced

A man who stole five bikes in Cambridge has been sentenced.

John Bruce Miller, 40, of Highdene Road, Cambridge, was captured on CCTV stealing the bikes, which were all locked, from Corpus Christi College, Downing College, Perry Cury, Severn Place and Sandy Lane between 28 May and 8 July.

He was also captured on CCTV stealing a pair of bolt croppers from B&Q in Newmarket Road on 6 July as well as goods including deodorant, coffee and frozen meals from Co-Ops in Perne Road, and Cambourne, and Nisa in Teversham Drift between 25 June and 6 July.

At Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Miller was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 20 months after pleading guilty to eight counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order and five counts of bike theft, five counts of theft from a shop and one count of criminal damage. He must also pay £100 compensation to the five bike theft victims.

Miller’s Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) runs until 25 April 2025 and states he must not:

• Be in possession of any pedal cycle or pedal cycle part without proof of ownership in the form of a verifiable receipt
• Be in possession of any article used to steal pedal cycles in a public place

PC Luke Upcott, from the Spree Offending Team, said: “We recognise the harm that is caused when a cycle is stolen and we’re working hard to reduce cycle crime and put offenders like Miller before the courts.”

In October 202, a multi-agency Cambridge Cycle Crime Prevent Task and Finish Group was set up by Cambridge City Council alongside Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Camcycle, businesses, universities and community groups.

Together the group have implemented several initiatives to tackle cycle crime including educational campaigns and cycle parking security improvements as well as enhancing enforcement measures.