Prolific burglar jailed for four years

A prolific burglar has been jailed for four years after being found guilty to committing a burglary in Ashtead earlier this year.

Anthony Moriarty, 38, dob 10/02/1986, of Hulveston Close in Sutton, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday, 30 October, after he was found hiding in the bedroom of the home he was burgling.

The burglary took place on 19 May and involved Moriarty brazenly entering the house through the front door whilst the homeowner was putting the bins out.

When she returned inside, she found him hiding in her bedroom where she confronted him. He then fled the scene on a bicycle with around £60 in cash and some pearl jewellery he had taken from the address.

Moriarty was identified as the perpetrator after officers trawled through video doorbell footage from neighbouring properties.

Just a day later, an off-duty Metropolitan Police officer recognised him from the circulation of the image and called Surrey Police. Moriarty was then arrested on suspicion of burglary and remanded in custody.

Despite pleading not guilty, the jury found Moriarty guilty of burglary at trial.
DS James Chapman of the Proactive Investigation Team said; “Burglary is a serious crime which can have a significant psychological, emotional, and financial effects on victims. Moriarty brazenly entered his victim’s home with the only intent to steal things that did not belong to him.

“The fact the homeowner also found him in her bedroom just adds another layer of violation and fear to the experience. Everyone should feel safe in their own home and Moriarty has taken this away. We are pleased that the combined efforts of the Proactive Investigation Team and Neighbourhood Policing Team, now means he will spend four years in prison and will be unable to disrupt the lives of anyone else.”