Northampton burglar is jailed for more than three years

A 48-year-old man has been jailed for three years and three months after he pleaded guilty to a number of burglary offences in Northampton.

Richard Shields, previously of Northampton, committed a number of offences in early February, 2024.

In the early hours of February 2, he burgled a property in Stanhope Road. Once inside the property, a number of items were stolen including two Xboxes, credit cards and 12 coats/jackets.

The keys to a blue Kia car were also taken and the vehicle subsequently driven off and stolen.

Then, on the morning of February 5, Shields entered a property in Allen Road, where a number of items were stolen including a bank card which was then used fraudulently.

Shields was identified as being involved in the incidents by Northamptonshire Police’s Burglary Team and subsequently charged with two counts of burglary, one count of theft of a motor vehicle and one count of fraud by false representation.

After pleading guilty to the offences at Northampton Crown Court in August, Shields returned to the same court last week (October 25) where he was sentenced to three years and three months in prison.

Lead investigator - PC Chris Perkins from the Force’s Burglary Team, said: “I am pleased to see Richard Shields sentenced to more than three years in prison as it sends a clear message to people that burglary in Northamptonshire will not be tolerated.

“We work really hard in the Burglary Team, as part of Operation Crooked, to put as many burglars as possible behind bars. We also work to prevent crimes and ensure every victim of a burglary in this county is visited by the police.

“We are passionate about fighting crime and protecting people and their homes, and I want to reassure the public that we remain as determined as ever to bring as many burglars to justice as we can.”