Bedroom Burglar Jailed

A Bournemouth man who robbed a woman in her own home is behind bars after being found guilty.

Christopher Sims, 36, forced entry to a house on Browning Avenue in Bournemouth while the woman living there was asleep inside during the early hours of Christmas Eve 2012.

The victim, a 57-year-old Bournemouth woman, awoke to find Sims rifling through her handbag in her bedroom.

He then assaulted her and fled the scene with her mobile phone.

The same night he also attempted to burgle a house at Carbery Gardens in Bournemouth, although he did not succeed in gaining entry.

Sims was identified on Wednesday 2 January 2013 after his blood was found at the first property.

Although forensic evidence helped quickly link Sims to both crimes, locating him proved difficult. However, after tireless work from the Priority Crime Team he was eventually located and arrested at an address in Winton on Thursday 3 January 2013.

On Thursday 7 March 2013, Sims pleaded guilty to both crimes at Bournemouth Crown Court.

He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for the offence at Browning Avenue and a further 12 months to run concurrently for the attempted burglary at Carberry Gardens.

Detective Constable Timothy Davis, of Bournemouth & Poole Priority Crime Team, said:

“This was an appalling crime where an innocent victim was attacked within the confines of her own home – the one place she should feel safest.

“Thankfully crimes such as this are extremely unusual in Dorset.

“I am pleased that we were able to identify and arrest Sims quickly and efficiently.

“The sentence handed out reflects the serious nature of this crime and ensures that other residents in Dorset are protected from this type of offence.”