Man jailed following commercial burglary in Chester

A man who broke into a convenience store in Chester has now been jailed.

Paul Cullen appeared at Chester  Court on Friday 24th April where he was sentenced eight months in prison.

The 51-year-old, of St Marks Road in Chester, had earlier pleaded guilty to burglary other than a dwelling, theft from a motor vehicle and breach of a Criminal behaviour order (CBO).

The court heard how shortly after 2.30am on Friday 24th April, police were called to reports of an alarm activation at the Co-op store on Christleton Road in Chester.

Officers were quickly deployed to the scene and on arrival they found the front entrance of the store had been smashed open.

Cullen was located creeping away from the store, covered in a green blanket and holding a basket full of stolen alcohol.

He was arrested at the scene and taken to custody.

While Cullen was in custody police recovered CCTV footage from the store which showed him smashing the front door with a metal wrench.

The owner of a nearby shop also contacted police to report that a number of items had been stolen from their van on the night of the incident, including sunglasses, a wheel brace and a blanket.

Following questioning, Cullen was charged with burglary other than a dwelling and theft from a motor vehicle. He was also charged with breaching his CBO, as the store was in an area he was banned from visiting.

Following the sentencing, Police Constable James Wright, of Chester Proactive CID said:

“Thanks to the quick response time by local officers, Cullen was literally caught in the act and had no option but to plead guilty to all the charges against him.

“I welcome the sentence that has been handed to him by the court, and I hope that it provides reassurance to the local business community and also acts as a warning to other who are planning to commit crime in Cheshire.

“Cheshire Police has one of the highest charge rates for burglary in England and Wales, and the team here at Chester are committed to doing all we can to ensure that those who commit crime in our community are held accountable for their actions.”

Pictured - Paul Cullen of St Marks Road in Chester.