Dorset Man Admits To More Than 80 Burglaries

16 July 2014, 15:39 | Updated: 16 July 2014, 18:37

A burglar who admitted breaking into more than 80 homes across the New Forest, Dorset and Surrey has been jailed for three years.

David Joseph Adams appeared at Guildford Crown Court yesterday, he has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to ten charges of burglary and asking for a further 72 offences to be taken into consideration. 

His offending covered the areas of Pyrford, West Byfleet, Walton-on-Thames, Hersham, Weybridge and East Molesey. 

Adams was traced by police to a property in Paddington, London on 10 June where he was arrested for ten burglaries in the East Molesey and Weybridge areas. 

He was subsequently charged and remanded in police custody while further burglaries were investigated. 

He later admitted to a further 37 offences and pleaded guilty to these and the ten offences when he appeared at South East Surrey Magistrate’s Court in Redhill on 13 June. 

Police continued interviews with Adams and he admitted to further burglaries, amounting to 72 in total and the ten he was charged with. 

As well as the offences in Pyford, West Byfleet, Walton-on-Thames, Hersham, Weybridge and East Molesey, Adams admitted to 13 offences in Dorset and nine in the New Forest area of Hampshire. 

Woking Neighbourhood Inspector John Davies said: 

“Adams’ offending brought misery, distress and inconvenience to the lives of those residents he targeted. He broke into homes throughout Surrey, Dorset and Hampshire, taking thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, cash and computer equipment. 

“The fact that he has pleaded guilty to and admitted so many offences will come as a huge relief to the affected communities and will reassure our local residents that we will relentlessly pursue those who commit burglary. Adams was a blight on our local communities and I’m pleased that he’s now off the streets and behind bars.” 

The offences took place between May 2013 and April 2014.