Man jailed after Bacup CCTV appeal

Robert Halliwell, 40, of no fixed address, was jailed for three years at Burnley Crown Court on November 20 following a theft from a property in Bacup.

Around 4.40pm on August 12, 2015, Halliwell was caught on CCTV cameras looking around the outside of a home in Lane End Road. He forced open a back window and climbed inside, leaving minutes later with a £3,000 gold chain.

The homeowner later discovered the theft and uploaded the footage onto Facebook in an effort to identify the intruder. Through this video three members of public came forward and named the offender as Halliwell.

At 5.30am on October 23, officers attended an address in Bacup. After a search of the property Halliwell was found hiding upstairs in the loft. He was arrested on suspicion of burglary and later charged.

The gold chain was not recovered and is believed to have been sold by Halliwell.

Earlier this month he pleaded guilty at Burnley Crown Court and was given three years in prison. He was also ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge and £900 costs.

PC Lee Burdis of Burnley Police said: "This burglary generated a huge amount of interest on social media and we are grateful for those who shared the footage and came forward identifying Halliwell.

"This was a shameful crime and shows to any homeowner the benefit of having CCTV cameras installed around their home."