‘One man crime wave’ who caused misery to Peterborough residents jailed

Career burglar Steven Craggs raided homes in Hampton, Werrington, Eye, Ramsey, Whittlesey, Helpston, Maxey and others across Cambridgeshire between December 2018 and February last year, stealing sentimental jewellery and irreplaceable items.

In April last year he had been given a four year sentence after admitting three counts of burglary - and after his ‘moral compass’ kicked in while in prison, he admitted a string of other offences to police officers.

Today he appeared at Peterborough Crown Court where he was given the additional six year sentence - to be served consecutively to his four year term - after pleading guilty to eight burglaries, one attempted burglary, one theft and asking for 10 other burglaries to be taken into consideration.

Judge Sean Enright labelled Craggs as a ‘one man crime wave driven by class A drug addiction’ who had caused significant harm across Cambridegshire.

But when he was given the addition term, Craggs hit out, saying: “No economic value to rehabilitation then - may as well have given me a ten’ before kicking out at the dock door as he was led away.

Philip Allman, prosecuting, told the court that Cragg’s offending often saw him using rocks or stones to smash windows and gain entry to homes, before escaping with his loot.

However, footprints found at the scene - and mobile cell site evidence meant detectives were able to link Craggs to the offences.

Craggs (43), of no fixed abode told officers he sold the jewellery, which was worth a total of tens of thousands of pounds - to fund his heroin and crack cocaine addiction.

Samantha March, defending, said Craggs - who has a total of 75 offences on his criminal record - had now seen the error of his ways, and was hoping to go on the straight and narrow when he was released from prison.

She said: “He is a man who had a difficult upbringing. He was subject to abuse. He has been addicted to heroin and crack cocaine since he was 16.

“But he has had a wake up call reconciling with his mother, who is unwell.

“He accepts his actions have been an embarrassment to his family, and his moral compass has kicked in. That is why he contacted police about these offences.”

Craggs has been serving his latest sentence at Hollesley Bay Prison - where Miss Marsh said he was drug free - and has been working at a pig farm as a ‘Category D’ prisoner.

But the court heard that any sentence of more than four years would mean he would lose that status, and be moved to HMP Peterborough.