Burglar caught red-handed jailed for three years

On Friday (4 October) Timothy Lewis, 51, of Elm Park Close, Houghton Regis, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court. He had pleaded guilty to a burglary in Bury Park, Luton, from 2020 after he was identified by his fingerprints on the police database. Lewis admitted hopping a fence and climbing in via an open window to steal a computer.

Lewis has previously admitted a string of other burglaries and thefts in the area.

Detective Constable Jason Wheeler of Bedfordshire Police’s specialist burglary team, Operation Maze, said: “The victim was understandably very upset by this crime, so it is very satisfying to have put a prolific burglar behind bars due to excellent detective and forensic work.

“As we prepare for a spike in break-ins over the winter period, this case does serve to re-emphasise the importance of locking all doors and windows if you are going out and not leaving valuables in plain sight.

“This also sends a clear message to burglars and career criminals that as part of Operation Maze we will do all in our power to disrupt, deter and bring to justice those who think it acceptable to violate and take others’ property for their own gain.”