Burglar jailed after ransacking house

A burglar who caused extensive damage to a house, ripping up carpets, forcing up floorboards and ransacking drawers and cupboards, has been jailed for more than two years.

Luci-Ion Stefan, 44, had broken in through a rear door. But he had left a fingerprint through which he was identified by forensic experts.

He had gone through the house in the Bramingham area of Luton, emptying cupboards removing clothes from wardrobes and drawers, and breaking into the attic.

Stefan stole numerous items of jewellery and broke open a money box taking around £300 in cash.

The break-in occurred on the morning of 17 January 2023. Stefan was arrested at London Luton Airport in April 2023 returning to the country. When police searched his home they discovered jewellery and watches which the victim identified as being stolen.

At Luton Crown Court, Stefan, now of Elmwood Crescent, Luton admitted one charge of burglary. He was sentenced to two years and two months in prison with the judge highlighting the amount of damage he had done.

After the case Detective Sergeant Lorelle Hathaway of Bedfordshire Police said: “This was a particularly serious case, reflected by the sentence for a first-time burglar. The damage to the house was really extensive and deeply affected the victim.

“I am really pleased that Stefan is behind bars. We take burglary really seriously with a specialist unit and will investigate every incident, so we urge people to come forward if they have any information.”

Anyone with information about a crime is asked to call 101 or report online.