Burglar who 'moved in' to victim's home

Gary Connell, of no fixed abode, admitted one count of burglary and one count of fraud by false representation when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

The 42-year-old victim returned to his two-bedroom house in Stockwell last Sunday after spending four nights at his girlfriend’s house, only to discover it had been broken into.

The sofa in the lounge – which converted into a bed – had been slept in, and had then been urinated on.

The toilet had been used and someone had used a shower and bath towels.

Det Con Jim Finnigan, from Colchester CID, said: “All of the owner’s bank details had been stolen, and a binder of bank statements had been opened and read.

“A Norwich and Peterborough banking book was taken, as well as the man’s cheque book, passport and various other items.”

The victim discovered £1,000 had been taken from his account in various instalments, so Det Con Finnigan visited the bank on Monday.

He said: “I had a look at the CCTV and saw a male – who was not the victim – going to the counter at each of the separate transaction times. He signed for the money as the victim.”

The bank clerks were left with strict instructions to call the detective should the suspect return.

Amazingly, at 10.30am on Tuesday, Det Con Finnigan received a call to say the man was standing in the queue.

Staff stalled him until the officer could arrive and arrest him.

Det Con Finnigan said: “This is a really positive arrest for us. Connell had some of the victim’s property on him at the time, and he admitted it all.

“He said he’d been kicked out of where he was living and, since Wednesday, he had nowhere to live.

“After a night out on the town on Thursday, Connell threw a stone through a small window at the back of the house, and broke in.

“He said he had no regard if there was someone in the house or not – he said it never crossed his mind.”

Connell, 25, was remanded in custody, prior to sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court on June 25.