Bungling Burglar Left Trails Of Evidence

A burglar who left trails of evidence behind during his crime spree has been jailed.

Over a three-month period, Terry Lewis targeted charity shops, a church and other businesses across Cambridge, often leaving empty handed.

However, the 46-year-old managed to leave behind evidence to secure his conviction, including his birth certificate, DNA, footprints, prison ID cards and plenty of CCTV images.

Between August and October last year (2022), Lewis broke into a tanning shop in Chesterton High Street, an industrial Unit in Orwell Furlong, St Giles Church in Castle Street and RSPCA charity shop in Burleigh Street and came away with a church collection box and £25. He also attempted to break into the British Heart Foundation in East Road.

He stole £330 in cash and approximately £5,000 in jewellery from North London Hospice in High Street, Barnet in September.

At Huntingdon Law Courts, Lewis, of no fixed address, was sentenced to a year in prison after previously pleading guilty to five counts of burglary and one attempted burglary.

Lewis admitted a further nine burglaries which have been taken into consideration.

PC Ryan Parker, who investigated, said: “Lewis is a prolific, opportunist burglar stealing to support his addiction whilst living homeless in the city. We hope the sentence provides some respite to businesses in the city affected by his offending.”