Prolific burglar jailed

A man has been jailed after burgling a 92-year-old woman’s home.

In August 2021 Michael Richardson, now 43, forced entry to the victim’s home by breaking a glass panel in the front door, but was unaware that he cut himself while doing so. The cut created trails of blood throughout the Oxted flat and into the victim’s bedroom, where Richardson stole engagement rings, a wedding ring, an eternity ring and a necklace, all of which were given to the victim by her late husband.

Forensic teams were able to obtain a full DNA match (1 in 1 billion match) using the blood Richardson left throughout the flat and he was later arrested for burglary.

Richardson, (DOB: 09/03/1981) from Bromley, pleaded guilty to burglary at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday, 12 February. He was sentenced to two years and three months in prison and ordered to pay £190 in costs.

Investigating officer PC Joseph Brown said “Michael Richardson is a dangerous individual driven by greed. The victim in this burglary was fortunate not to have been inside when Richardson had gone to extreme measures to break into her home, and I can’t begin to think how she must have felt when she returned.

“Richardson not only took sentimental and irreplaceable items of jewellery belonging to the victim’s late husband, he also robbed her of her sense of safety and security in her own home.

“The sentence given to Richardson is a reminder that burglary will not go unpunished in Surrey, and no matter how long you think you can stay undetected, we will relentlessly pursue you.”