Prolific burglars jailed for combined total of 165 years across North East over past 10 months

Some of Northumbria’s most prolific burglars have been locked up for a combined total of more than 165 years across the North East this year.

Northumbria Police have announced that so far in 2022, more than 60 thieves and burglars have been handed prison terms in connection with a string of offences committed across the region.

The combined tally of those custodial sentences reach more than 165 years – with some other offenders remanded in custody and still awaiting sentence.

Read more: Bus driver in court after collision left pensioner needing double leg amputation

Many other offenders have also been convicted at court and are serving suspended sentences with strict conditions.

The following names have been convicted over the past ten months in the North East (they can be seen from R-L on the picture below):

Over 60 burglars have been convicted in the past 10 months in the North East (Northumbria Police)

• Karl Hogg, of Sunderland Street, Houghton, jailed for 15 months on March 29
• David Leonard, 36, of Jubilee View, Newcastle, jailed for 45 months on May 11
• Robert Smith, 39, of no fixed abode jailed for four years on March 3
• Dominic McDonald, 21, of Woodhorn Road, Ashington, jailed for seven years on July 15
• Lewis Knowles, 19, of Lindsay Avenue, Blyth, jailed for seven years on July 15
• Grant Eggleston, 47, of Seaton Avenue, Houghton, jailed for 32 months on March 11
• Brian Ince, 48, of Beresford Gardens, Byker, jailed for 985 days on August 30
• Daniel Dixon, 22, of no fixed abode, jailed for 48 months on August 25
• Colin Jones, 43, of no fixed abode, jailed for 54 months on February 3
• David Kelly, 41, of Northbourne Road, Jarrow, jailed for 876 days on June 16
• William Joab, 35, of no fixed abode, jailed for three years and nine months on April 22
• Steven Spencer, 53, of Front Road, Sunderland, jailed for two years on March 29
• Christopher Cook, 43, of Armstrong Road, Newcastle, jailed for 40 months on March 29
• Stephen Leech, 34, of no fixed abode, jailed for 30 months on September 23
• Joseph Bell, 42, of Marine Avenue, Whitley Bay, jailed for 40 months on September 15.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Mcguigan, of Northumbria Police, said: “In 2022 alone we have seen some exceptional outcomes which is testament to the hard work of our dedicated burglary teams across the North East.

“Burglary is such an intrusive crime that can have a significant impact on victims, their families and also the wider community as a whole. That’s why we are committed to putting thieves and burglars behind bars – and it’s important the public see justice being served.

“That commitment was recognised in a recent independent inspection report which acknowledged the good quality of our investigations and quality service to victims of crime.

“It is fantastic to hear about the excellent results across the Force and hope this offers reassurance to the public.”

Heading towards the winter, Det Chief Insp Mcguigan has offered advice to residents across the North East as the Force continue to look to prevent opportunistic thieves from striking.

Officers will again be honing in on targeted areas in a bid to prevent burglaries from taking place and making sure criminals who attempt to operate under the cover of darkness leave empty-handed.

He said: “As ever, we would always ask the public to work with us, be vigilant, and take a few extra steps to help reduce the risk of them becoming a victim of crime. Please lock your doors and windows, keep your vehicles locked, and make sure any valuables are kept out of sight.

“Our burglary teams work hand-in-hand with our neighbourhood policing teams to monitor crime trends, deploy targeted patrols and offer crime prevention advice to those most at risk.

“By all working together, we can continue to make sure Northumbria remains as safe as it possibly can be to live, work and visit. If you see anything suspicious in your community, we want to know about it.”

Read Next

• Man fined after being caught growing cannabis in a cupboard at his Hebburn home

• Daughter left own family £28k in debt by secretly taking out phone contracts in their name

• Angry driver spat on fellow motorist during road rage episode on Coast Road

• Drink driving pensioner banned from roads after being caught twice in four years

• Thug left one man disfigured and chipped another's tooth during punch attack in Hexham