Man jailed for burglary and theft offences in Hooton

A 50-year-old man from Walton has been jailed after admitting a number of burglary and theft offences in the Hooton area of Ellesmere Port.

David Southern, from Romley Street, Walton appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 17 February to be sentenced to five years after admitting one count of dwelling burglary, one attempted dwelling burglary, four burglaries other than a dwelling, going equipped, theft of a bicycle and fraud.

Southern was identified as a suspect after a DNA hit on a head torch that was left at the scene of one of the burglaries.

In addition to this, neighbours in the area had reported suspicious activity and thefts to police and on their local social media pages. As word got around some checked their doorbell cameras and spotted Southern on their property, and in some cases taking items from their homes or sheds.

Southern was detained by residents on 30 November 2021 after he was caught trying doors in Roften Way. Officers arrested him and began to piece together his offending.

PC Mike Rogers from Ellesmere Port LPU’s Proactive team said:

“This is a great example of neighbours looking out for each other and reporting suspicious activity to police. We were able to attend and arrest Southern after already building a picture of his offending. Southern repeatedly targeted the area over several weeks and caused misery for his victims. He is now paying the price for the crimes he committed by serving a five-year sentence.

“I’d urge residents to report suspicious activity, so that together, we can make life difficult for criminals and make Cheshire a hostile for those intent on committing crime.”