A BUNGLING burglar was caught by police wearing the same clothes as he was wearing when he broke into Runcorn War Memorial Club.
On the morning of Saturday, September 23, an offender gained entry to the York Street venue after climbing onto the roof of the premises and forcibly making his way into the bar area by removing roofing tiles.
Once inside, he forced open a till in a bid to steal money and conducted a search of the premises, making off after the alarm was triggered.
When officers came to review CCTV of the incident, Clifford Smith was easily identifiable.
The 52-year-old was arrested later that day – still wearing the same clothes seen in the footage of the burglary.
He was later interviewed by Runcorn police officers, and when faced with overwhelming evidence, he admitted the burglary.
Smith, of Blantrye Street in Runcorn, appeared before Chester Magistrates’ Court to be sentenced, having pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary at a previous hearing.
Magistrates sentenced him to an 18-month community order, including 19 days of the thinking skills programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
No order was made for him to pay court costs, with the court instead prioritising £160 in compensation, however he was handed a statutory victim surcharge of £114 and a fine of £50.
Magistrates approved an application for funds to be deducted from his benefits.
Following the sentencing, PC Stuart Beswick said: “Swift decisive action from our team led to the arrest and charge of Clifford Smith.
“I am in no doubt that this action helped to protect other local businesses from falling victim to this type of crime.”
Smith was previously issued a criminal behaviour order by the courts in 2020, with the force previously stating: “In Clifford Smith’s case, he has a long list of convictions.
"His unacceptable behaviour has had a significant detrimental effect on those who have been subjected to it, and on the community in general.
“He has persistently shown no consideration at all for the effects his offending has had on others.
“There comes a point when you have to say enough is enough and take additional action to protect the community.
“I welcome the court’s decision to impose a three-year CBO on Smith and hope it provides him with a wake-up call to change his ways and deters him from committing further offences.
“I also hope it reassures the people of Runcorn that we will not tolerate such behaviour, and that we will use whatever powers we have at our disposal to ensure that the town is a pleasant place to live, work and visit.”
If you have any information regarding a burglary or any other suspicious activity, call Cheshire Police on 101 or visit cheshire.police.uk/tell-us
Information can also be reported anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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