A burglar who targeted a bungalow in Stone has been jailed for 32 months following the quick thinking of a father and son.
During the afternoon of 1st August Christopher Cornwall, aged 36, from Newcastle, broke into an unoccupied bungalow just outside Stone town centre and took items of jewellery and cash.
A 16-year-old boy and his father, who were cycling by at the time, alerted police, who responded within moments of the call and were led straight to the offender.
Cornwall pleaded guilty to the burglary and was sentenced to 32 months’ imprisonment at Stafford Crown Court on Friday.
Detective Sergeant Wain, from Staffordshire Police, said: “This was an excellent response from local officers PC Nairne, PC Johnson and PCSO Rollo, but the arrest would not have been possible if it were not for the actions of the vigilant members of the local community. We are delighted that we were not only able to make the arrest, but were able to return all of the stolen items and money to the lady concerned.
“Domestic burglaries in Stone are extremely rare, but due to the clear distress these crimes cause, as police officers we take each crime personally. Every incident is rigorously investigated and offenders will always be dealt with to the full extent of the law. I hope this serves as a warning to any would-be offenders that burglars will not be tolerated within the community of Stone.”
