Man jailed for more than 30 burglaries in Weymouth, Dorchester and Purbeck
47 year old David Clift has been described as a 'one-man crime wave'Dorset
A man who admitted more than 30 commercial burglaries in Weymouth, Dorchester and the Purbeck area has been jailed.
47 year old David Clift pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Crown Court to nine burglary offences, assaulting an emergency worker and a fraud offence.
He asked for a further 23 burglaries to be taken into consideration and he's been handed a six year prison term.
The crimes all took place between December 2023 and February 2024, with premises including cafés, churches and a hair salon targeted.
PC Dave Williams, of the Volume Crime Team, said:
“David Clift is a prolific offender who repeatedly targeted commercial premises in the Weymouth, Dorchester and Purbeck areas.
“We fully recognise the impact offending of this nature has on businesses, with many of those targeted by Clift being smaller independent retailers.
“With local officers from the neighbourhood policing team, we are committed to taking action against offenders such as Clift so they can be held accountable for their crimes.”
Neighbourhood Inspector Sam Goom, of Weymouth and Portland police, said:
“Weymouth and Portland has low numbers of burglaries, but we recognise the impact these offences have on victims when they happen.
“David Clift was a one-man crime wave. Officers from across Weymouth and West Dorset worked diligently and quickly to identify and apprehend him. Our relentless approach has ensured he has faced justice in the courts.
“I hope this brings the victims some satisfaction. His sentence will ensure the public are protected from him for some time.”