Burglar, 18, admits to more raids

SUFFOLK: A burglar who admitted carrying out two raids on homes in Felixstowe has also owned up to a further four break-ins.

Joshua Smith was escorted by police around Ipswich and Felixstowe and pointed out another four addresses he had targeted.

The 18-year-old, who is already serving 16 months in jail for similar crimes, was described as a “model prisoner” at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday.

Brought to court in custody from Hollesley Bay prison, Smith pleaded guilty to burglaries in Chelsworth Road and Shotley Close, in Felixstowe, and asked district judge David Cooper to take into consideration four other raids and a theft.

On June 9 he stole jewellery, games consoles and other valuables worth a total of �1,800 from a home in Chelsworth Road. Then, between June 11 and 13, he made off with �850 worth of belongings from a Shotley Close address.

While serving a jail term at Warren Hill prison for other offences committed at around the same time, Smith was approached by police and voluntarily admitted the other crimes.

Officers said he showed a desire to have no outstanding offences against his name and that, without his co-operation, the crimes would have “almost certainly” have gone unsolved.

In fact, it was declared in court, the two burglary charges brought before the judge were the result of Smith’s admissions.

Judge Cooper imposed another 42 days to existing Smith’s sentence, to be served in a youth offenders institution.