Man jailed following burglary spree across Cheshire and North Wales

A man who went on a six-hour burglary spree across Cheshire and North Wales has been jailed.

Brendon Bell appeared at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday 8 August where he was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.

The 22-year-old, of Main Avenue, Cowlersley, Huddersfield, had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary of a dwelling in relation to Cheshire and North Wales.

Bell, also pleaded guilty to two other burglaries which occurred in Lancashire on Wednesday 6 March.

The court heard how Bell began his crime spree at around 6.55pm on Monday 4 March when he broke into an address on Bay View Road, Benllech, in Anglesey.

Over the next 12 hours he went onto to target a further three addresses, starting with a house on Llwybry y Gwent, in Bangor, which occurred at around 8.30pm.

Bell then travelled over the border to Northwich in Cheshire, where he broke into an address in the Landswood Park area at around 11.47pm.

The final burglary occurred in the Pulford Close area of Kingsmead shortly after 12am on Tuesday 5 March.

During the incidents an unknown quantity of jewellery was stolen from the address in Bangor, while Bell left empty handed during the other three burglaries.

An investigation was launched by Northwich Proactive Policing Unit who quickly recovered CCTV footage which showed a man wearing a distinctive camouflage jacket – the same as the jacket worn by the offender in North Wales.

Following the discovery, officers conducted ANPR enquiries which identified a Renault Laguna which travelled from Anglesey to Northwich and then over to Huddersfield on the night of the incident and matched the timings of the burglaries.

Unfortunately, the car was displaying false number plates, so officers were unable to identify the owner. However, a marker was placed on the vehicle and the car was subsequently stopped by officers in Halifax, West Yorkshire, at 9.30pm on Wednesday 6 March.

Bell, who was driving the car, attempted to decamp the vehicle but he was quickly located and arrested.

Upon his arrest, officers seized a mobile phone from Bell and analysis of the phone placed it in North Wales and Northwich on the night of the burglaries. He was subsequently charged in relation to the offences.

Following Bell’s sentencing, Police Constable Matt Uren, of Northwich Proactive Policing Team, said:

“Bell is a prolific offender and I welcome the sentence that has been handed to him by the courts.

“Burglary is an absolutely terrifying offence. No one should have to wake up to find the place where they should feel safe has been broken into and their belongings have been stolen. The emotional impact of this cannot be underestimated.

“Thankfully, we were able to identify Bell as the offender, thanks to the evidence gathered by the team here at Northwich Proactive Team.

“I hope the fact that Bell has now been convicted of the offences and is behind bars facing the consequences of his actions gives some closure to his victims, and the local community.

“I also hope that this case acts as a warning to others who are looking to come to Cheshire to commit crime.”