thief is jailed

A POLICE detective has urged people in Winsford and Middlewich to take responsibility for protecting their own homes after a burglar was jailed.

John Healey, 26 and from the Coppenhall district of Crewe was jailed for two years at Chester Crown Court last week on two burglary charges, with 54 other offences - nearly all sneak-in burglaries - taken into consideration.

The offences took place in Winsford, Middlewich, Crewe, Sandbach and Congleton.

DS Chris Hole said: "Since Healey's arrest in March, Winsford and Middlewich have been free from sneak-in burglaries. Prior to that, those areas had all suffered from Healey's 12-month crime spree.

"We concentrated a great deal of resources and effort on investigating these offences and identifying him as the offender.

He became our number one target and officers used entirely new forensic methods and technical surveillance equipment to carry out the investigation."

Det Sgt Hole added: "Healey went to great lengths to sneak in to the rear of houses, often climbing over walls and fences, but when he tried a sneak-theft at a Bargain Booze store in Crewe he was caught on CCTV.

"He escaped from there but officers found him at a house they knew he visited. He jumped from an upstairs window and ran off but was arrested after a short chase.

"Healey confessed to this long string of crimes, saying that he wants to put that behind him when he comes out of jail, and make a fresh start.

"We issue repeated warnings to people to lock rear doors and not to leave cash or valuables on kitchen or hall tables, and frankly we're disappointed by the number of people who don't seem to take notice of these warnings.

"People must accept some responsibility for protecting their own homes."

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk