Apologetic thief jailed for Solihull crime spree

Uncategorised • 29th May 2014

An apologetic thief jailed for a string of burglaries across Solihull told police he wanted to spend time behind bars so he could learn lessons from his crime spree.

Alex Humphries admitted overnight break-ins at two Knowle addresses last July − bagging electrical items from one rural property as the homeowner slept upstairs − and held his hands up to another 17 offences when questioned by detectives.

He drove off in a total of seven cars from driveways, predominantly in Castle Bromwich, by swiping keys after forcing open patio doors or ‘fishing’ them through letterboxes and open windows.

In a handwritten statement Humphries − who was 19 during his summer 2013 crime wave − apologised for his actions and said the damage and heartache he’d caused only struck him on reading impact letters penned by his victims.

It read: “I deeply regret what I’ve done…I didn’t have any money and so turned to crime. It won’t happen again: I’ve learned my lesson, I want to pay the consequences and then return to being a productive member of society.”

Unemployed Humphries , of no fixed address, admitted two counts of burglary at homes in Woodrow Crescent, Knowle, on 16th July and another of conspiracy to steal in relation to a break-in at an address in Stone, Staffordshire, last February where £4,000 cash, jewellery and a Fiat 500 were stolen.

He appeared at Warwick Crown Court on Friday (23^rd May) where, having asked for a further 17 offences to be taken into consideration, he was sent to a youth detention facility for a total of 24 months.

Investigating officer Dave Bailey from West Midlands Force CID in Solihull, said: “Humphries admitted a string of burglaries and attempted burglaries in the space of just a few weeks in Castle Bromwich. These weren’t professional, planned jobs and on more than one occasion he fled having been disturbed by residents in addresses he’d targeted.

“He is still a young man (aged 20) and I hope he is true to his word, reflects on the hurt he’s caused and works with probation to better his life and stay out of trouble. Upon his release he will be monitored by our offender management team so, should he again turn to crime, he can expect to be swiftly arrested and again imprisoned.”

West Midlands Police arrested Humphries in the early hours of 18th July following a report of a suspected stolen vehicle − a Skoda Octavia traced to a burglary in Woodrow Crescent two days earlier − parked up off Shard End’s Wellcroft Road.

Humphries tried running from the scene and, when caught by officers, claimed he’d been given a lift in the car by an unnamed man.

In questioning, though, he admitted forcing his way inside the Knowle house and driving off in the Skoda having pocketed the keys.

He went on to confess a catalogue of other offences including two in Water Orton Road on 22nd May and 14th July last year where an Audi Q5 and Ford Focus were stolen, and another overnight 15-16th July when VW Golf keys were ‘fished’ from a porch.

Other burglaries were carried out in Lyndon Close on 4th July when he drove off a Ford Fiesta, Chester Road on 30th May when an Astra was taken, and raids in Sudeley Close, Tomlinson Road and Alderpits Road where he swiped valuables.

And he ran off empty handed from several homes including in Whittleford Grove on 4th July when he activated a house alarm, Milebush Avenue on 23rd May when he was disturbed, and Neville Road on 17th February when he found people asleep having crept upstairs.