Tyrone Muir, 47, from Lewisham, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison on Monday, October 19, after pleading guilty to burglary at Woolwich Crown Court in July. The conviction came after a Met Police officer traced him using only a single word – his first name.
Muir was part of a three-man gang that forced its way into a vulnerable man's home on Lee High Road in July. His face was captured on CCTV footage, but police could not initially identify him.
PC Kelly's breakthrough
The victim told PC Max Kelly that one of the gang members said to another, 'Come on, Tyrone, let's go'. PC Kelly pursued this lead and searched through Lewisham police records.
This search led him to Muir, whose face matched the one in the CCTV footage. Later the same day as the burglary, officers went to Muir's address, not far from the crime scene, but he was not at home.
Arrest on a park bench
Muir had tried to change his appearance, including wearing a new outfit, since the burglary. He was sitting on a park bench near his house when PC Kelly spotted him, recognised him, and arrested him on the spot.
Muir pleaded guilty and was sentenced earlier today (Monday, October 19) to three years and two months in prison.
Police statements
CS Chris Green said: “This was a distressing case, involving a vulnerable individual who had been cruelly targeted in his own home and may have been further exploited by Muir.
“PC Kelly’s actions demonstrate the best of policing and are representative of the standards of professionalism and commitment on the TSG. He refused to give up, identified a small but significant clue and worked hard to safeguard the victim. Criminals should be under no illusion we will pursue every lead to bring them to justice. That is what we are here to do.”
PC Max Kelly added: “It took time to trawl through all the potential matches, but I was determined to explore every avenue. When I matched Muir’s face to the man in the footage, I knew we had our suspect. I couldn’t believe it when I spotted him on the bench and swiftly arrested him.”
The case highlights how a small detail can lead to a conviction, with Muir now serving a prison sentence for the burglary.
