Poole Burglars Jailed For Five Years

24 June 2014, 12:51 | Updated: 24 June 2014, 12:53

Two Poole men have been jailed for nearly five years between them for carrying out burglaries across the county.

31-year-old John Swanson and 42-year-old Michael Johnson, both from Poole, pleaded guilty to committing two burglaries in the Blandford area.
 
Swanson was handed down a three year jail term and Johnson was sent to prison for one year and eight months. Johnson was also sentenced to a further four months’ imprisonment for other offences which were dealt with on the same day.
 
The court heard evidence that the pair committed two burglaries at properties in the villages of Charlton Marshall and Shroton on Tuesday 6 May 2014.

The first victim locked up her house in Charlton Marshall and went out at 9am. She returned at approximately 11.40am to discover her front door had been forced open and an untidy search had been conducted. It appeared that several items had been examined and discarded but a watch was found to be stolen.
 
The second victim secured her address in Shroton and went out at approximately 9.50am. She returned at around 11.40am to find a downstairs sash window had been forced open. The house had been searched and various items of silver and jewellery had been stolen.
 
At 12.10pm on the same day officers arrested Johnson and Swanson after they were discovered in possession of stolen silverware and jewellery.
 
Senior Investigating Officer Geoff Kerley, of Weymouth CID, said:

“Burglary is a despicable crime and extremely traumatic and distressful to the victims.
 
“These two offenders travelled to the Blandford area with intent to break into houses. They have shown a total disregard for other people’s property and left a trail of misery for the victims.
 
“I am pleased that we were able to recover the majority of the stolen property, some of which was of great sentimental value.
 
“I welcome the sentences and hope that they act as a deterrent to other would be offenders.”