AirPods Lead Police to Burglar Hiding in Loft After Christmas Day Break-In
A prolific burglar who smashed through a family's door on Christmas Day and stole thousands of pounds worth of items was caught after police tracked a pair of AirPods he had taken during the crime. Anthony Allen, 47, broke into the home of Rozerin Olgun's parents in Ashford, Kent, late at night while they were visiting family.
Upon returning, the family was devastated to find their house ransacked, with belongings strewn everywhere and jewellery, cash, and wireless headphones missing. They reviewed CCTV footage, which showed Allen moving through the house at 11:33 pm, haphazardly opening drawers in the living room.
Tracking Technology Leads to Arrest
Police used the stolen AirPods to trace Allen to a house in Stanhope, where they discovered him hiding in the loft. This technological tracking proved crucial in his capture, highlighting how modern devices can aid law enforcement in solving crimes.
At Canterbury Crown Court on February 27, Allen was jailed for two years, four months, and 23 days. However, his victim, Rozerin Olgun, expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence, stating it was insufficient given Allen's extensive criminal history.
Victim's Outrage and Concerns
Rozerin, who was left shaking after the burglary, highlighted Allen's 25 previous convictions for 55 offences. She said, 'I don't think two years is anything, but obviously it is what it is. He has done it at other times, so he'll do it again. That's why I don't think two years is enough.'
She also believes Allen had an accomplice and that their home was burgled twice on the same day. 'Our house got burgled twice on the same day. He was working with another person as well, but obviously, he's the only person being sentenced. If the second person gets found, then we won't feel unsafe, but obviously, we don't know how many more people were involved,' she added.
Court Proceedings and Impact
During the hearing, prosecutor George Skinner estimated the value of stolen belongings at over £3,000. Victim impact statements were read, including one from Rozerin's 17-year-old brother, Ibrahim, whose school work was destroyed. 'To come home to find everything had been turned upside down has really affected me. I had to take time out of school, and when I'm there, I feel distracted,' his statement said.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Shanda McAteer explained that Allen had suffered a tragic loss before the burglary, leading to an emotional breakdown and increased drug and alcohol use. 'He hopes, through me, to apologise to the family. He's clearly someone who does need help. He hopes to put offending behaviour behind him and repair his relationship with his children,' she stated.
Judge's Remarks and Sentence Details
Judge Paul Goldspring told Allen, 'You have an extensive and appalling criminal record. Burglary is not merely a crime against property; it's an intrusion into the safety and security of those violated.' Allen pleaded guilty to the burglary and had been convicted of burgling two other houses on the same day.
He will serve at least 40% of his sentence in custody and must pay the statutory victim surcharge. This case underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing repeat offenders and the profound impact of burglary on victims' lives.
