POLICE have welcomed the jailing of two "brazen" serial burglars who targeted houses - including properties in Rainford and Crank.

Michael Foat, 38, of Jerningham Road, Norris Green, Liverpool was sentenced to four years nine months in prison for three counts of burglary, handling stolen goods and driving while disqualified. 


Francis Constantine, 20, from Sandy Road, Seaforth was sentenced to six years in prison for three counts of burglary 

The offences relate to burglaries in Rainford, Crank, and also in West Derby, Liverpool. 

In one offence from June, the pair entered a house on St Helens Road, Rainford via a window, and were confronted by the occupier and made off, before being arrested the following by officers at the Beach Mount Hotel in Kensington, Liverpool.

During a previous offence in Crank in May, an air weapon (pictured) was stolen and later recovered. 

St Helens Star:

Detective Sergeant John Fitzpatrick from Operation Castle said: “Foat and Constantine are examples of yet more brazen and thoughtless burglars who have no understanding of the impact that their actions cause for the people of Merseyside.

"To interrupt people who have invaded your house is an awful experience to go through, and we are determined to keep reducing offences and the harm this causes across Merseyside. 

“We are delighted to see Foat and Constantine removed from the streets for the foreseeable future and I want to thank everyone in the communities of Merseyside who continue to provide information so we can keep the pressure on offenders like them. 

“Our commitment and momentum in catching burglary offenders and putting them before the courts will not cease, it will not slow down, so keep coming forward and we’ll do the rest.”