A man who committed a spate of robberies and burglaries across Bristol has been jailed. Greg Cole, of no fixed address, was sentenced to more than eight years in prison at Bristol Crown Court on Monday (January 16).
The 31-year-old committed two robberies, three dwelling burglaries and two non-dwelling burglaries between March and May 2022. He was found guilty of one of the robberies and one dwelling burglary, but pleaded guilty to the other five offences.
At around 7am on Tuesday, March 1, while living in social housing accommodation, Cole entered the room of one of his neighbours and punched him multiple times in the face, demanding his credit cards and PIN number. After failing to get the money, Cole returned and stole the victim’s phone.
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He was found guilty for these incidents on Thursday, November 3. During the sentencing, the court heard of separate incidents in March, April and May.
On Sunday, March 27, Cole broke into a student property in High Kingsdown, in Bristol, while the occupants were asleep. He made off with laptops, credit cards and alcohol.
Then on Friday, April 8, Cole confronted a man walking home in Clifton in the early hours of the morning. He threatened him and pushed him before taking his mobile phone and credit cards.
Just over a week later, on Sunday, April 17, he broke into a home in Stokes Croft and stole two bicycles and some alcohol. The two other non-dwelling burglaries relate to theft of alcohol from a shop in Whiteladies Road on Thursday, April 2021 and theft of items from a designer shop in Bristol on Monday, May 2.
Cole was handed a sentence of eight years and 10 months imprisonment. He will then serve a further five years on extended licence upon his release.
Investigating officer, DC Helen Shore, said: “Cole is a dangerous individual who targeted vulnerable people both in their own home and on the streets.
“He has no qualms or morals and would regularly burgle premises in the middle of the night without thought to the occupants. This opportunist repeat criminal is now off the streets and behind bars.”
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