A prolific burglar who went on a two-month offending spree left blood at the scene of his crimes. James Briggs, 38, smashed his way into a number of businesses in Nottingham to swipe clothing, alcohol and an electric bike.
Briggs, of no fixed address, later stole a bank card from his own mother after going to her home to beg for money. He was tracked down after leaving blood at the scene of his crimes on two occasions.
He was also identified by officers who analysed CCTV footage. Briggs was jailed for three years at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (July 28) after pleading guilty to four burglaries, between April 8 and June 2 this year, one theft and the breach of a community order.
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Briggs and an unknown man broke into the Hugo Boss store, in Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, after climbing onto a window ledge and kicking the window through, Nottinghamshire Police reported. He stole two T-shirts, worth £238, but cut his leg and left blood at the scene which was later traced back to him.
He also broke into the Las Iguanas restaurant, in Chapel Quarter in Nottingham city centre, and stole almost £350 of alcohol on April 25. Briggs’ spate of offending continued on May 4 when he again left blood at the scene after smashing through a window to gain entry to the Gorillas store, in Thoroton Place, Radford.
He stole an electric bike valued at £1,200 and two bottles of vodka. Briggs broke into an apartment block in Friar Lane, Nottingham, causing damage to the fence on June 2.
He was identified by police from CCTV images and it is believed nothing was taken from the building. Two days later Briggs visited his mum’s address where he swiped her bank card, withdrawing £100 in cash and spending £50 at a food store.
Police Constable Malachi Keane, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Briggs is a prolific offender with multiple previous convictions and has shown a complete disregard for the law.
"Nottinghamshire Police takes all incidents of burglary extremely seriously, with our officers working hard to prevent incidents before they happen and to ensure we’re able to catch those who do commit this invasive crime. I am pleased Briggs has now been jailed and sincerely hope this latest spell behind bars gives him the motivation he needs to change the direction of his life.”
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