Cambridge burglar tried his luck by buying scratch cards with stolen bank card

A burglar who used a stolen bank card to buy beer, tobacco and have a flutter has been jailed for 17 month.

Symon Charlton, 49, stole the bank card, along with a bicycle, jewellery and electrical items from a house in Arbury Road, Cambridge, at about 3.30pm on March 7.

An hour later he was captured on CCTV entering a branch of Co-op in Chesterton Road, where he used the bank card to buy five scratch cards, four bottles of beer and some tobacco.

Investigations led officers to a local second-hand store, where it was revealed Charlton had attempted to sell a stolen Sony Bluetooth speaker, a silver laptop and an iPad.

Charlton went to a branch of Tesco, in Christs Lane, at about 5pm where he again used the stolen card, this time to buy milk and more tobacco.

When Charlton was arrested officers found stolen jewellery at his home in Chesterton Road. They also discovered the stolen bicycle locked up nearby.

Charlton admitted burglary and three counts of fraud by false representation. He was jailed for 17 months at Peterborough Crown Court on Tuesday (May 17).

DC Lisa Bacon said: “Charlton stole from innocent people in Cambridge and then brazenly used the bank cards.

“I’m pleased the items of jewellery and bicycle were recovered and returned to their rightful owners.

“We’re doing all we can to catch burglars and bring them before the courts. Please contact us if you notice any suspicious activity where you live.”