Prolific burglar who caused ‘misery’ to businesses across Cambridge is jailed

A burglar who targeted multiple stores and Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has been jailed.

Robert Rust first struck on 2 March at B&Q in Newmarket Road where he stole tools including an electronic screwdriver and an angle grinder.

On 12 March he broke into the staff bike shed at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and took a £300 electric scooter.

The 37-year-old then took £400 cash from Tesco in High Street, Chesterton, on 18 March and two days later, he took £1,800 of scratch cards, alcohol and cash from Co-Op, in Milton Road, where he left behind a sledgehammer with his DNA.

Rust’s rampage continued on 24 March when he smashed the door of The Red Mug in Chesterton Road, and stole £40, again leaving his DNA behind.

He used a brick to smash a shop front in Green End Road on 27 March where he stole cash and alcohol before breaking into Lewis Barbershop in Unwin Square on the same day using a concrete block to enter. He then took £50 and a laptop.

Rust was arrested on 11 April after breaking into Nisa in Green End Road where he was confronted by a shop worker who called police.

Rust, of Stirling Road, Northstowe, was sentenced to 23 months in prison at Huntingdon Law Courts on Thursday (8 August) after previously pleading guilty to seven counts of burglary and theft from a shop.

PC Samantha Chapman said: “Rust is a prolific thief and burglar with 55 convictions for 125 offences. He has caused misery to businesses across Cambridge and we hope this latest sentence provides some respite to businesses affected by his offending and that Rust himself takes the opportunities given to him to help stop his offending.”