THESE are the faces of five men who have been put behind bars over the past few days for burglary offences.

Five burglars have been jailed for more than 12 years between them in relation to separate offences committed in St Helens.

Police have welcomed the sentencings which they say forms part of a continued effort to crack down on burglary in the area.

Jamie Worrall, 30, of Alder Street, Newton-le-Willows, was given a 45-month sentence for a burglary he committed in The Shires.

Worrall stole items including bank cards and cash from an elderly man’s home overnight between Saturday, December 1 and Sunday 2, which he later used at local shops.

Worrall was seen by police officers in Corporation Street, St Helens on Monday, December 3 and stolen items were found in his bag before he was detained.

He was given the sentence after admitting to burglary, fraud and being carried in a vehicle taken without consent.

Meanwhile, he was also sentenced for a burglary in October in Gleave Street, St Helens in which cash, cards and a bus pass were stolen from the home of an elderly man.

 

Jamie Worrall

Meanwhile, his accomplice Paul Alban, 28, of Cherry Tree Drive, Parr was also sentenced to 45 months in prison after he admitted to burglary, fraud, unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle, and possession of cannabis.

 

Paul Alban

In a separate case, James Towey, of Charnwood Street, Parr was jailed for 30 months after he pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and one count of handling stolen goods in relation to the theft of vehicle registration plates.

 

James Towey

Another sentencing saw Gareth Towe, of no fixed address, sentenced to 20 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and four counts of theft in 2018, for items including a charity box from Garswood Library in School Lane.

 

Gareth Towey

In another case, Stephen Carney, 18, of no fixed abode was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment following a burglary which took place last autumn.

On Thursday, October 18, he forced entry to a house in Nutgrove Hall Drive and, although no items were stolen, forensic enquiries at the scene led to the arrest and charge of Carney.

 

Stephen Carney

Reacting to the sentences, Detective Chief Inspector Craig Sumner said: “We recognise and understand the impact that burglary has on our local communities and I want to reassure all victims that we will do everything possible to target those we believe are involved.

“Our investigations and community policing teams are working hard together to develop intelligence from the community and partners, and will act on all information to pursue offenders.

“Burglars will target the most vulnerable people on our communities and burglars will look for easy targets, so don’t give them the chance, especially in the winter months, when there are long hours of darkness. There is also crime prevention advice available on our website and I would particularly ask that people keep their gardens, sheds and houses safe and secure, and look out for their neighbours when they are away.

“We regularly stop-check people acting suspiciously, which deters criminals from operating in these areas, so together we can make these areas hostile places for criminals to operate.

“Our commitment and momentum in catching burglary offenders and putting them before the courts will not cease, so keep coming forward and we’ll do the rest. You can provide information directly to officers, or anonymously via Crimestoppers."

  • For advice and protection against burglary see: merseyside.police.uk/advice-and-protection/burglary-and-theft/. Anyone with information on burglary is asked to contact our dedicated hotline and email address on 0151 777 7926 or operation.castle@merseyside.pnn.police.uk. People can also contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or can call Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.