Clacton burglar jailed after public CCTV appeal
A burglar caught on CCTV and identified by the public's been jailed.
Essex Police posted CCTV pictures on social media of a man caught on camera following a burglary in Orwell Road back in September.
He was successfully identified as 28 year-old Liam Dixon from Coopers Lane in Clacton.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard how the victim returned to his home on Orwell Road to find it had been broken in to.
He found various items had been stolen, including £600 cash he'd saved for a holiday, £100 in loose change, some video games and tools.
Fortunately his CCTV caught everything on camera.
The footage showed a man - later proven to be Dixon - attempting to climb up a drainpipe of the building, which later broke and gave way.
Dixon then returns to the flats with a ladder which he used to access the victim's flat and force his way in through a window.
The CCTV then shows Dixon jumping out of the window with a yellow bag containing the items.
Dixon pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary on Tuesday 2nd December and he was jailed for 28 months.
Following his sentencing, Detective Constable Richard English, said: "In policing we have never been in any doubt about the value of our communities in helping us to prevent and detect crime.
“This is a classic case of the public supporting to help catch a bad guy.
“Dixon had absolutely no thought for anyone other than himself when he broke into the home of his honest and hard-working victim and stole money they had put aside for a holiday.
“Unfortunately for Dixon - but fortunately for the victim and Essex Police - he wasn’t very bright and not only were his thieving actions all caught on camera but he was promptly identified by residents in the town where he lives.
“Let’s hope he spends his time behind bars reflecting on what he has done and considering an alternative career that doesn’t involve him breaking the law.
“We would like to thank the members of the public who came forward to identify Dixon and help us put him behind bars.”
Essex Police say they are doing all they can to catch those responsible for committing burglaries to help people keep their homes safe - particularly now when bars, pubs and restaurants are open again.