'Career burglar' jailed after spate of break-ins across Peterborough while on licence from prison
A ‘career burglar’ broke into an elderly man’s home and stole coins and a war medal during a spate of break-ins across Peterborough while on licence from a previous jail sentence for burglary.
Police say a masked.Jody Stones (41) with another man broke into a property at Eastfield Road while the elderly resident was at home.
A police spokesperson said: “The victim woke to find Stones standing by his bed.
“When he asked him what he was doing, Stones jumped from a first-floor balcony, taking with him a wallet and bank cards, passport, cufflinks, a coin and stamp collection, a gold watch and the victim’s grandfather’s Great War service medal.”
Police say CCTV showed one of the men wearing the same clothing Stones was wearing at a burglary at Rivendale two weeks earlier.
The spokesperson added: "Further police enquiries uncovered Stones had approached collectables dealers in the area to sell the stolen coins, which officers were able to return to the victim, along with his grandfather’s medal.”
Police say Stones, of no fixed abode, had been released from prison in May last year but on July 28 this year broke into a property in Rivendale, Werrington, and stole a gilet and martial arts training sword, worth about £740.
Forensics teams identified a blood smear on a cupboard door, which came back as a match for Stones. They also secured CCTV footage showing Stones outside the address with the sword.
Stones was arrested on August 17 when he attended Thorpe Wood Police Station to answer his bail conditions for an unrelated matter.
His mobile phone was seized and officers found Stones had used it to book a taxi from a neighbouring street immediately after the Eastfield Road burglary.
Police say Stones pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison at Peterborough Crown Court on October 16.
He admitted a further six burglaries, three car thefts and handling stolen goods while back behind bars.
DC George Corney said: “Stones is a career burglar who showed a complete disregard for the sentence he was already serving for the same offences.
“He stole not only valuable items, but items of real sentimental value to the victims and even burgled one address while the homeowner was asleep.”