Prolific Cambridge burglar returned to life of crime weeks after leaving prison

A ‘ninth strike’ burglar who returned to a life of crime just three weeks after his release from prison is back behind bars.

Andrew Clay, 44, of Victoria Road, Cambridge, was caught on CCTV stealing a bike, power tools and alcohol from the back garden of a home in Sweetpea Way, Cambridge, on April 18, following his release from prison in March.

The next day he was caught on CCTV breaking into a home in Central Avenue, Cambridge, while the owner was upstairs in bed watching television. He smashed the key safe and used the key to walk in through the front door, leaving with £30 in notes and some loose change.

Clay was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court last Tuesday to two years and five months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary.

Det Con Lisa Bacon, from the southern acquisitive crime team, said: “Clay is a prolific ‘ninth strike’ burglar with multiple burglary convictions against his name.

“After his release in March he was offered support and advice by the constabulary’s offender management team to help him on the road to a crime free life but chose not to accept it and instead reoffend again.”

For burglary prevention advice, visit https://bit.ly/3PCmzch.

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