Burglar smashed his was into homes

A burglar who smashed his way into homes in Soham and Littleport on the same morning has been jailed.

Archie Crompton, 19, went to the first property in Barkhams Lane, Littleport, at about 10am on 9 October.

He smashed the glass on patio doors at the rear of the home and searched the property, scattering items all over the hallway and a bedroom, before leaving with a front door key. 

At about 11.25am on the same day Crompton went to another property, this time in Orchard Row, Soham, with two other men.

They smashed a window at the side of the property and again scattered items around as they searched for valuables, stealing jewellery and £1,000 in cash.

The burglaries came a week after Crompton had filled up with fuel at a petrol station in Bar Hill and left without paying.

Finally, on 18 October, Crompton went to a branch of Machine Mart, in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and stole a dent puller worth £41.99.

Crompton was captured on CCTV footage for all four offences and arrested.

He admitted two counts of burglary, making off without payment, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and theft.

On Thursday (10 April) at Peterborough Crown Court, Crompton, of Dalkeith Caravan site, Edinburgh, was jailed for 26 months. He was also disqualified from driving for 31 months.

DC Lisa Bacon said: “These burglaries caused significant distress for the victims when they returned home to find their homes ransacked and privacy invaded.

“Burglary has a significant psychological, as well as financial, impact on victims. We’re working hard to identify offenders and bring them to justice.”

For burglary crime prevention advice visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s website.