Cambridge: University Burglar Jailed

19 November 2013, 10:00 | Updated: 19 November 2013, 10:29

A serial burglar has been jailed just two days after being caught on CCTV at the scene of a string of break-ins in Cambridge.

Michael Janes, 36, of Victoria Road, ransacked four colleges, a student accommodation and a car park in Cambridge looking for money.

He forced his way into Churchill College, St Catherine's College and St Edmund's College getting away with hundreds of pounds from cash boxes between November 13 and 16, but he was caught on CCTV and identified by officers.

Janes had also targeted student accommodation on Tennis Court Road and tried to help himself to cash from a parking machine in Park Street on November 15 and tried to break into the bar area at Gonville and Caius College on the same day, but was unsuccessful.

But Janes, who has 43 previous convictions, including theft, was captured on CCTV.

Officers identified him and he was arrested on Saturday. He pleaded guilty to five non-dwelling burglaries and one attempted theft from meter and was jailed for a total of 50 weeks at Cambridge Magistrates' Court.

Detective Constable Andy Day said: "Janes is a prolific burglar who targeted college establishments and caused a lot of damage and distress.

"I hope this sentence demonstrates the serious consequences of burglary and I am pleased that we were able to bring him to justice."