A burglar who stole a series of unusual items from a number of venues including a hospital has been jailed for 12 months.
David Houghton, 56, of Ellesmere Port appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 27 where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to burglary offences.
Houghton began his burglary spree on December 19, 2021 when he arrived at the Vauxhall Motors football ground in Ellesmere Port and entered the referee's changing room while a match was in progress.
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The 56-year-old stole a bag which contained £20 cash and a mobile phone.
Later that evening he then broke into a village hall located on Capenhurst Lane, the very same road which he lived on.
The serial offender made an "untidy search" of the premises and took two hoovers worth around £170 from a cleaning cupboard.
He also stole a number of PlayStation games, along with a WIFI extender, microwave and kettle.
After the police were called to a report of a burglary at the premises, they seized a blood stained piece of kitchen roll which had been dropped on the stage area and was later used as evidence against Houghton.
On January 6, the Ellesmere Port man was challenged by the owner of a van in Tarvin after he was seen trying to gain access to it and then drove away in his own car.
Just over two weeks later, Houghton returned to the Vauxhall Motors football ground on the morning of January 22 while parents and children were present supporting grass roots football.
He entered the Sports and Social club where he stole bottles of vodka and whiskey before he set his sights on a local hospital just a day later.
Despite visiting restrictions being in place due to coronavirus measures, Houghton got inside the hospital in Ellesmere Port and began trying doors before gaining entry to the kitchen area where he stole cash, coffee, tea bags and sugar – all of which would have been used by resident patients and staff at the hospital.
Police had been investigating each incident but following forensic examination, the bloodied kitchen roll from the village hall was found to be a direct DNA hit to Houghton.
Officers then began piecing together CCTV, which also showed Houghton in and around the locations targeted at the time of each offence.
Houghton was arrested and subsequently charged with four counts of burglary and one count of vehicle interference.
He was denied bail and appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 27.
Detective Sergeant Graeme Carvel l, of Western Proactive Team, said: “Burglary is a serious offence and Houghton targeted businesses and charity organisations.
“Houghton had no regard for his actions and even managed to gain entry to a hospital and snatched items which were destined to be used by inpatients.
“This good result will see Houghton off the streets and hope it will make anyone who thinks they can get away with burglary in Cheshire to think again. We will not stop in pursuing those bringing misery to our local communities.”
