Great Yarmouth man Marcus Stewart sentenced after admitting to string of burglaries in Norfolk and Suffolk

A man who committed a string of burglaries including at an 88-year-old woman's home has been sentenced.

Marcus Stewart, 20, of Middlegate, Great Yarmouth, appeared at Norwich Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to four counts of burglary.

He was sentenced to two years and four months detention in a Youth Offender's Institution.

Stewart admitted to breaking into homes in Hemsby and Scratby, in Norfolk, on January 17 and two properties in Southwold Road, in Wrentham, Suffolk, on January 13.

The court heard one of the homes targeted by Stewart in Wrentham belonged to an 88-year-old woman who was at home celebrating her birthday when the incident happened.

Stewart entered the property through an open window and stole a large amount of jewellery from the victim’s bedroom.

Stewart targeted a second property in Southwold Road and this time broke in after forcing a back door.

A large amount of jewellery, much of which held sentimental value to the victim, was stolen along with cash.

Five days after the burglaries in Wrentham, Stewart targeted two homes in The Glebe in Hemsby and California Avenue in Scratby where jewellery and cash was stolen.

Following CCTV inquiries, Stewart was identified as a suspect in both sets of burglaries and arrested by police a few days later on January 20.

He was questioned by detectives at Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre and later charged.

Commenting on the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Marley Jay-Symonds said: “Burglary is an intrusive crime, and we never underestimate the impact it can have on victims, which was evident in this series with large amount of jewellery stolen, some of which held great sentimental value to the victims.

"I’m pleased that through our investigations, we were able to secure Stewart’s sentencing and return a large amount of stolen property to the rightful owners."

Between his charge and sentencing, Stewart worked closely with Suffolk Police’s Operation Convertor team and went on to admit a further nine burglary offences which were taken into consideration.

The offences took place in Southwold, Reydon, Bungay, Kessingland and Winterton.

Detective Constable Barry Simpson from the Operation Converter TIC Unit said: "Stewart was visited while on remand in prison because it was clear there were numerous investigations in Norfolk and Suffolk that matched the circumstances of the offences for which he had been charged.

"He made voluntary admissions to further offences."

Operation Converter is an initiative aimed at encouraging offenders to admit their crimes.

Police are able to give victims some peace of mind that an offender has been caught for the burglary of their home or the theft of their property and the individual has the opportunity to clear their slate so they can have a fresh start when they are released from prison, without the possibility they will later be traced for a further offence.

Offenders have to give sufficient detail for officers to be sure they have committed the crime and these offences are then ‘taken into consideration’ at sentencing.

Offences which are taken into consideration are crimes which a defendant admits although they have not been charged with them.

A defendant can bring these to court to be sentenced for them as well as for the already charged offences.