Prolific burglar pleads guilty to Epsom offences

A man from Epsom yesterday (12 August), pleaded guilty to one count of residential burglary and one count of burglary at a local primary school, at Guildford Magistrates Court.

Luke Andrews, 27, of Pelman Way, Epsom, has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 13 September at Guildford Crown Court.

On the evening of 9 July, Andrews visited Epsom Primary School and smashed a window to gain entry. Once inside, he conducted an untidy search and stole a number of iPads.

Thanks to victim statements and CCTV footage, Andrews was identified and arrested on 9 August.

Due to him wearing a distinctive coat, he was also linked to a nearby residential burglary where he gained entry through a skylight and stole jewellery. When officers searched his address, the stolen property from both burglaries was recovered.

Burglary Lead for the Force, DCI Gareth Hicks, said; "The successful conclusion of this case, is in large part thanks to the hard work and dedication of the investigating officers. From arrest to charge, the team worked a 24-hour shift to ensure that the case file could be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service as soon as possible and another officer came in on his day off to assist.

"Andrews had only been released from prison in May after being convicted of other burglary offences, so the fast reaction of our officers meant that the risk to the local community was quickly countered. 

"Being burgled can have a huge impact on victims who are left feeling unsettled and unsafe in their homes. Where there are lines of enquiries, we will follow this up and look to bring perpetrators to justice."