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Bungling burglar jailed after leaving evidence at Tunbridge Wells break-ins

A bungling burglar has been jailed after leaving "a trail of indisputable evidence" at three properties, including named documents and returning to the crime scene.

Terry Williams - of no fixed address - was sentenced jailed for 16 months after pleading guilty to three burglaries on Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells.

Terry Williams has been locked up for 16 months
Terry Williams has been locked up for 16 months

On March 28, police were called to a house and neighbouring outbuildings where stolen items had been found left in a wheelbarrow.

Paperwork and prescription medication with his name on it were found nearby, and while officers were at the scene, one of the victims suddenly recognised a man walking nearby, whose appearance matched a suspect captured on his CCTV.

He was stopped and identified as Williams, and was carrying a bag containing a laptop and other items which led to the identification of a third victim in the same road.

At that home, they found the 41-year-old had entered by breaking a window.

Mr Williams broke a window to gain entry to one of the homes. Stock picture
Mr Williams broke a window to gain entry to one of the homes. Stock picture

A carrier bag discarded outside contained a jewellery box stolen from a safe, and a Honda motorbike stored in the garage had also been tampered with - damage had been caused to the ignition barrel.

Initially Williams insisted he was not to blame, despite further incriminating evidence including blood samples retrieved from the crime scenes.

At Maidstone Crown Court he admitted three counts of burglary.

DC Shelley Rainer of Tonbridge CID said: "Williams left a trail of indisputable evidence and was then caught after unwittingly returning to the scene of one of the burglaries to recover stolen property he had set aside.

He was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court
He was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court

"It is clear that if he hadn’t been arrested, he would have continued to steal and cause further misery to others in order to support a drug habit.

"We know just how devastating crimes like this can be to the victims and prison is clearly the best place for him.

"I would like to reassure residents we have teams of detectives dedicated to fighting, preventing and solving burglary throughout the county and as this case has shown we will do all in our power to bring criminals to justice."

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells

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