Burglar made three failed attempts before succeeding

A man who made three failed attempts to burgle homes in Cambridge before finally succeeding was caught after leaving his fingerprint on a door handle.

Andrew Harrison, 45, was captured on camera at all the failed attempts but got into a property in Tenison Avenue on 11 July.

However, he was disturbed by the homeowner at about 12.30am and made off empty handed.

Pictured: Andrew Harrison, 45. 

His fingerprint was found on a door handle.   

Just 30 minutes earlier, Harrison had attempted to burgle a terraced house in Mawson Road, where he was captured on CCTV.

And he had made two previous failed attempts - at properties in Glisson Road on 28 May and Union Lane on18 June, both captured on camera.

Harrison, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal and three counts of attempted burglary and was jailed at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday, 3 October.

He received three years and eight months for the burglary and 34-month sentences, to run concurrently, on each of the attempted burglaries.

DC Lisa Bacon said: “We linked these burglaries thanks to the CCTV footage given to us by the victims: the images were clear and identified Harrison. We could then link them to the property where his fingerprint was recovered from a door handle.

“We’re doing everything we can to catch burglars and put them before the courts, but we would also remind homeowners to ensure they lock their garden gates and doors to protect their properties.”

You can help keep burglars away from your property by looking at our crime prevention advice on the force website.