A 36-year-old burglar has been given a four-year prison sentence after being caught on CCTV after raiding a home in Netherfield.
Michael Clifford, 36, was caught on camera as he walked down the road – clearly in possession of items he’d just stolen from a nearby property in Deabill Street.
The burglary took place on the afternoon of September 19, this year.
Clifford broke in through the back door when his victims were out, using a neighbours wheelie bin to help climb over their garden gate.
Once inside the house he stole thousands of pounds worth of items from inside, including jewellery, watches, a laptop computer and a games console.
After reading a plea for information on social media, a neighbour checked their CCTV footage from the afternoon in question and spotted Clifford walking by with a distinctive laptop bag.
This and other items stolen in the burglary were later found at an address he was staying at.
When he was interviewed by officers Clifford admitted it was him in the footage but claimed to have bought the items from an unknown man in the street just minutes before it was recorded.
Clifford, of Lambley, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft – his third such conviction.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday and was sentenced to four years and six months in prison.
Three years of his sentence was the almost guaranteed by so-called “third strike” rules, which mandate an opening tariff of at least three years for a third offence.
Detective Constable Christopher Copley, of Nottinghamshire Police’s county burglary team, said: “This kind of CCTV is proving to be more and more useful in our investigations, and I would urge everyone to think carefully about how such technology may add to the security of their home and their neighbourhood.
“They not only act as a visible deterrent, they are also absolutely invaluable to helping us locate offenders and place them at the scene of their crimes.
“I’ve investigated a lot of burglars in recent years and it is it not always easy to prove their guilt beyond doubt. However, as Mr Clifford discovered in this instance, it is extremely hard to argue with CCTV footage that places you near the scene of the crime in possession of the stolen items.
“I hope he will use his time in custody to reassess his life and move away from this kind of offending when he is released.”
