Forensic evidence gathered by police leads to prison sentence for prolific burglar

A prolific burglar has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after burgling ten houses in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Uckington.

Christopher Jeffery, aged 36, of Wheatland Drive in Springbank, was sentenced to four years eight months at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday 17 June.

He pleaded guilty to ten burglaries, which were carried out over a four month period between February and May this year. Laptops, jewellery, a Kindle reader, Premium Bond certificates, driving licenses and a Mini Cooper, were amongst some of the property stolen.

Jeffery was arrested on Friday 13 May where he was in possession of stolen property. His footwear was then examined by forensic officers who were able to link this to five burglaries.

During a search of his mother’s home on Saturday 14 May, £2,500 worth of jewellery was found hidden in his bedroom, some of which dated back to World Wars 1 and 2 and were of sentimental value.

The strong evidence put forward by police to Jeffery in his interview forced him to admit all ten burglaries and a handling stolen goods offence. He took officers to a stolen vehicle which was still outstanding and gave details of the other five burglaries he had committed.

PC Matt Rollason, the investigating officer, said: “Burglary is a heinous crime that affects the victims long after the event. Jeffery has at least given those victims closure by admitting these offences at the earliest opportunity.

“A detailed and thorough investigation, combined with help from the local community led to the detection of these burglaries, so I would urge people to continue to call police with information they have no matter how insignificant they think that information may be.”

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk