A burglar who targeted homes in Bournemouth has been jailed for three years and nine months.
Joseph John Sargeant, aged 50 and of Enfield Road in Christchurch, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court today, Friday 5 July 2019, after he admitted two dwelling burglaries and an attempted burglary.
On Wednesday 19 December 2018 entry was gained to a flat in West Hill Road while the occupants were out during the day and rooms were searched.
A number of items of jewellery were taken as well as watches, a coat and Louis Vuitton bags.
CCTV was obtained from a neighbouring premises that showed a man entering the block of flats shortly after 12pm and leaving around 15 minutes later with the stolen property.
Sargeant was identified by an officer who viewed the CCTV.
On Friday 11 January 2019 a further burglary occurred at a flat in Watkin Road. The home had been left unoccupied for much of the day and at 7.15pm the victim was contacted by her bank in relation to a number of transactions at local shops and businesses.
She realised that a wallet, which had been in the lounge, was missing.
CCTV was obtained from several of the locations where the card was used, and again the defendant was identified from the footage.
On Wednesday 13 February 2019 officers were making enquiries about an unrelated matter in Moorland Road when they were approached by a resident who had filmed an attempt to force entry to a property on their mobile phone.
The footage showed a man trying to force entry via the front door of the address before going round to the side of the home and out of view. No entry was gained to the property.
Officers who viewed the footage were again able to identify Sargeant as the offender.
He was arrested by officers in Bournemouth on Monday 18 March 2019.
Police Constable Liam Moss, of Dorset Police’s Priority Crime Team, said: “Joseph Sargeant is a repeat burglar who targeted people’s homes and showed no respect for their possessions.
“I am glad that through our investigations we were able to identify Sargeant as the man responsible for these offences and bring him before the court.
“I would like to take this opportunity to urge members of the public to take some simple crime prevention measures to protect yourself from offenders such as Sargeant, for example keeping windows and doors locked and secure wherever possible.
“For more crime prevention advice visit www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/.”
