A 47-year-old man who burgled homes on the outskirts of Norwich has been sentenced to more than three year’s imprisonment.

Tommy Croll, of no fixed address, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday (16 January 2020) where he was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to three counts of burglary.

Croll admitted targeting homes in Harpsfield, Caddow Road in Bowthorpe and Jewson Road in Mile Cross, in September last year, stealing jewellery, electrical items and cash. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug after he was found with a wrap of heroin.

Crime scene investigators recovered a footprint from all three homes, a Nike trainer which had a distinctive hexagon tread pattern.

CCTV enquiries and witness statements led to officers identifying Croll and his partner as suspects for the break-ins. Detectives managed to track them down on 13 September as Croll was due to have a meeting with his offender manager. Officers witnessed Croll and his partner walk through a car park off Magdalen Street. His partner was then seen to dump a carrier bag into a clothes bank.

Both were subsequently arrested in connection with the break-ins. Officers accessed the clothes bank and discovered a carrier bag inside containing Nike trainers, which matched the distinctive tread pattern found at the crime scenes.

Both were later charged with offences.

Detective Sergeant Mike Cox, from Norwich CID, said: “Burglary is an intrusive crime and can be a very traumatic experience for victims which is why we take these offences so seriously.

“Evidence secured from the three crime scenes was crucial in getting a successful prosecution in this case.”

His co-defendant, Emily Moles, 31 and of Knowland Grove, Norwich, has pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods after she was found in possession of items stolen from the burglaries. She has also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife after a weapon was found in the lining of her handbag. Moles will be sentenced on Tuesday 25 February at Norwich Crown Court.

 

Keep up to date with Norwich news – follow Norwich Eye on Twitter and Facebook!