Grimsby man jailed after stealing bank cards from student who was sitting exam
The 43-year-old let himself into an unlocked room at Trinity College in Cambridge
A man from Grimsby who went on a spending spree after stealing bank cards from a University of Cambridge student sitting an exam has been jailed.
Christian Willoughby, aged 43, let himself into an unlocked room at Trinity College while the victim was sitting an exam in May last year.
The student began receiving a series of text alerts of bank transactions while at lunch following the exam.
Willoughby was using the stolen bank cards within minutes of stealing them to buy scratch cards, clothing, a new outfit to disguise himself, food and alcohol from Five Guys and the Hilton Hotel.
Meanwhile, the student returned to his room to discover his wallet had been stolen, along with a £200 watch and an envelope containing more than £100 in cash.
Later that day Willoughby stole more bank cards, this time from a member of staff at La Raza, in Rose Crescent, Cambridge.
He continued buying food and drink with the cards even after returning home to North East Lincolnshire until police arrested him.
Willoughby, of Candlesby Road in Grimsby, appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on Thursday (10th July) and was jailed for 11 months after pleading guilty to entering with intent to steal, theft of a purse and 18 counts of fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing.
DC Louise Clarke said:
“Willoughby is an opportunist – always looking for ways to steal and line his own pockets. Thankfully, on this occasion, the quick-thinking of cleaning staff at the college secured a good description of him which helped us identify him.
“The real-time spending messages received by both victims meant they were immediately alerted to something wrong. This allowed them to swiftly contact us with details of the crimes.
“I hope the victims can now put these incidents behind them.”