Two jailed after Buxton burgling spree
Homes of elderly and vulnerable people were targeted
Last updated 14th Nov 2022
Heather Keeling, 21, and Jamie Browne, 33, pinpointed several addresses with key safes so that they could enter properties without the occupants’ knowledge.
Keeling also repeatedly posed as a carer to gain access to the homes of her elderly victims before stealing large sums of cash, jewellery, bank cards and medicine.
Stolen bank cards were also used by the pair to make fraudulent transactions at retailers.
The burglaries took place between February and March this year and were often only discovered later when items were noticed to be missing.
Keeling, of Harris Road, Harpur Hill and Browne, of Dale Road, Buxton, were arrested on suspicion of burglary on 21 March and 29 March respectively. They were charged with six counts of burglary and one of fraud.
The pair admitted the burglaries, with Keeling later confessing to two further burglaries in the area.
They appeared at Derby Crown Court on 27 October and Keeling was handed a 40-month jail term whilst Browne was sentenced to serve 59 months.
Detective Constable Robin Mills, officer in the case said:
“Browne and Keeling were calculated and cunning in their efforts to deceive and steal from their elderly and vulnerable victims.
“They repeatedly exploited their victims’ vulnerabilities for their own gain and invaded the very place where we should all feel safe: our home.
“Burglary is an extremely distressing crime which leaves people feeling frightened and violated, and we welcome this sentence which will hopefully bring some peace of mind to those targeted by Keeling and Browne.”