Jail for migrant worker who burgled in Spalding and Holbeach

Janis Sakalauskis (26) had been working legitimately since his arrival in the UK but his lack of a valid passport meant he could not work and was not entitled to benefits.

Henry Ewing, prosecuting, said that Sakalauskis carried out a series of burglaries between October and February before he was arrested after being found illegally squatting in a house in Stonegate, Spalding.

The owner, who was attempting to sell the property, called police after he arrived at the house to discover he could not get inside.

When officers arrived Sakalauskis told them: “I’m just sleeping here”.

Mr Ewing said that items stolen in an earlier burglary at a property in Matmore Close, Spalding were found inside the Stonegate house.

Sakalauskis was then also linked to house burglaries at Pennygate, Spalding, and Mondemont Close, Holbeach, as well as a raid on Weston Village Stores when £1,000 worth of cigarettes and alcohol was taken.

Mr Ewing said that both the Matmore Close and Pennygate properties were ransacked by Sakalauskis, leaving the victims badly affected.

Sakalauskis, of no fixed address, admitted four charges of burglary committed on dates between October 19, 2015 and February 20 this year. He also admitted an offence of squatting in a residential building and unlawfully abstracting electricity. He was jailed for 30 months.

Neil Sands, defending, said “He has no previous convictions. He came to this country to work legitimately which initially he did. But then his passport expired. He found himself homeless, not working and not entitled to any state benefits.

“He had no income whatsoever and no address. He knows that he will go to custody for some time and at the end of that he will be removed from the UK.”