Shopping centre burglars who attacked police jailed

Two men who broke into Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre before assaulting police officers, including threatening to hit one with a motorcycle helmet, have been jailed.

In the early hours of February 6 this year, Northamptonshire Police received a 999 call from town centre CCTV operators reporting a door was open at the shopping centre with two men trying to get a motorcycle out.

Officers were sent to investigate and once inside the building, found Adam Kelly and Jamie Kightley in a service way trying to push a motorbike up a flight of stairs.

When the two officers began to arrest the pair they became violent, with Kelly punching one officer repeatedly, causing head injuries which required hospital treatment.

Kelly was able to flee the scene but Kightley, who had punched and grabbed the other officer and encouraged Kelly to use a motorcycle helmet as a weapon, was arrested.

The motorbike was confirmed as having been stolen.

Kelly was identified as the second offender and arrested at his home later that day.

Kightley, aged 30, was charged with one count of burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal, and one count of assault by beating of an emergency worker.

He was also charged with one count of burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal in relation to a break-in at Tesco in Clannell Road on February 2.

Kelly, also aged 30, was charged with one count of burglary other than a dwelling with intent to steal, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a police officer.

Following an initial appearance at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on February 7, their case was sent to Northampton Crown Court.

Kightley, formerly of Stanley Road, went on to admit all three offences and was sentenced to a total of seven months’ imprisonment on May 30.

Having initially denied his involvement, on August 12, Kelly, of Turners Court, Wootton, appeared before the same court to admit to the burglary and assault.

He returned there on September 27, where he was sentenced to a total of 28 months’ imprisonment, including 14 months for the assault on the police officer, and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.

Investigating officer PC Tammy Wright, of CID West, said: “I’m pleased to see this case conclude with both Jamie Kightley and Adam Kelly admitting their guilt and being given custodial sentences.

“In trying to avoid being arrested, both resorted to violence, causing injury and fear to both officers involved.

“This incident highlights the dangers often faced by officers and I commend those involved for their bravery and determination to apprehend the offenders in such circumstances.

“Anyone who decides to try to commit crime should know we are dedicated to stopping them and, as with Kightley and Kelly, we will do all we can to ensure they are held to account.”