A 21-year-old man from Stowmarket has been jailed for 18 months after being convicted of a burgling a house in Bacton while the occupants were asleep.

Ricky Watson, of Newton Road, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, September 22, charged with the burglary which took place overnight on June 8 and 9.

While the occupiers slept, Watson entered and stole electrical items and keys, including those for a Renault Megane which was parked on the driveway.

The car was stolen and recovered the following day by police in Stowmarket.

Between Watson’s arrest on June 27 and his sentencing, he admitted a further six offences in the area through Suffolk police’s Operation Converter.

These included two burglaries in Steels Road, Woolpit – one overnight on June 13 and 14 and the second at a different property in the same road on June 26 and 27. A 16-year-old accomplice, who was with Watson for both burglaries, stole a bicycle from a shed in the first incident and in the second stole cash and a BMW car while Watson stole a bottle of alcohol.

Watson was also linked to the theft of a Red Mazda from a house in Deben Hill, Haverhill, on May 13 and drove the BMW stolen by the 16-year-old between May 10 and 11. On May 18, Watson also stole a four foot garden gnome from Mallard Way in Woolpit.

DC Duncan Etchells said: “House burglary is an intrusive crime that can have devastating effects on the victims.

“We are determined to continue to bring those who are responsible for this type of crime to justice.

“The message to burglars is simple – if we have information that you are burgling people’s homes, we will use all powers and tactics available to us to arrest you and ensure the Courts deal with you appropriately.”

Operation Converter is an initiative aimed at encouraging offenders to admit their crimes, giving police the chance to give victims peace of mind that an offender has been caught and the perpetrator the chance to clear the slate for a fresh start when they are released from prison.

Watson’s 16-year-old accomplice, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was dealt with by Great Yarmouth Youth Court and given a 12 month youth Rehabilitation Order with intensive supervision, a three month curfew order and made to pay £445 compensation.