Judge tells burglar to give up crime because he’s ‘not so good at it’

A burglar has been told to give up crime because he’s ‘not very good at it’ after his sloppy heist in front of CCTV cameras landed him in court.

Lee Andrews, from St Neots, Cambridgeshire, broke into a shed at a property in his home town and stole a bike and tools worth almost £1,000 on December 29.

Weeks later, he and a group of other burglars broke into an industrial unit in the same town and stole £3,000 worth of tools.

The 48-year-old was serving a suspended sentence at the time for a previous conviction, which meant he was known to local law enforcement.

On both occasions he was easily visible on security footage, which allowed neighbourhood officers to quickly identify and arrest him.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and three breaches of a suspended sentence and sentenced to three years and 27 weeks’ jail at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday.

Recorder Patrick Fields, sentencing, told him: ‘The best advice is to give up crime because you are not very good at it and keep getting caught.’

Speaking afterwards PC Jack Phillips, of Cambs. Police said: ‘Andrews claimed he was stealing to pay of debts.

‘He’s now got plenty of time to reflect on his crimes and get the support he needs to lead a crime free life.’

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