A prolific burglar – who committed multiple burglaries across Birmingham over ten months – has been jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty at Birmingham Crown Court.
42-year-old Craig Tombs, of no fixed address, broke into several homes, stealing thousands of pounds worth of items such as family jewellery, antique dining sets, and a car between June 2023 and April 2024.
Tombs also pleaded guilty to stealing 19 historic artefacts – including silver plates and goblets dating back to the 1700s– from St Nicolas Church in Kings Norton in March.
After a previous burglary conviction, Tombs had been given an opportunity to have a deferred sentence and enter an intensive community sentence plan, as part of West Midlands Police’s Crime Free programme.
The Crime Free Team targets individuals committing prolific, non-violent burglary offences. As part of the programme, individuals are allowed to admit to previous offending, and they must give back the stolen property.
Through this programme, we were able to reunite a large amount of stolen property back with their rightful owners.
However, despite Tombs enrolling on the Crime Free Programme, he went on to recommit offences, and as a result, he was handed a lengthier sentence.
On Tuesday 27th August, Tombs was sentenced 10 years in prison for multiple offences, and he was also handed an 18-month driving ban.
PC Alan Reeves, from our Crime Free Team, said: “Tombs was a notorious thief who repeatedly targeted homes.
“We worked with multiple policing teams and forces to arrest and charge him, and see him jailed.
“I hope this sentence offers justice to those that Tombs targeted and that it sends a message to those who commit this crime, that we do not tolerate it and we will take action.
“We understand the cost and emotional distress that burglary causes, and where offences are reported we will investigate and work to identify those responsible.”
