Burglar who targeted Cambridge charity shops and church left trails of evidence in his path

A burglar who left trails of evidence behind during his crime spree has been jailed for a year.

Terry Lewis targeted charity shops, a church and other businesses across Cambridge over a three-month period, often leaving empty handed.

However, the 46-year-old managed to leave behind evidence to secure his conviction, including his birth certificate, DNA, footprints, prison ID cards and plenty of CCTV images.

Lewis broke into a tanning shop in Chesterton High Street, an industrial Unit in Orwell Furlong, St Giles Church in Castle Street and RSPCA charity shop in Burleigh Street and came away with a church collection box and £25 between August and October last year. He also attempted to break into the British Heart Foundation in East Road.

Lewis stole £330 in cash and approximately £5,000 in jewellery from North London Hospice in High Street, Barnet in September.

At Huntingdon Law Courts on Wednesday (March 8), Lewis, of no fixed address, was sentenced to a year in prison after previously pleading guilty to five counts of burglary and one attempted burglary.

Lewis admitted a further nine burglaries which have been taken into consideration.

PC Ryan Parker, who investigated, said: “Lewis is a prolific, opportunist burglar stealing to support his addiction whilst living homeless in the city. We hope the sentence provides some respite to businesses in the city affected by his offending.”