Burglar caught on CCTV hours after being arrested for separate offence

This is the moment a bungling burglar was caught on camera – just hours after being arrested for a separate offence.

Christian Willoughby was arrested just after 4pm on May 30 on suspicion of burglary at a premises on Gallowgate in Newcastle earlier that day.

The 42-year-old was released on bail pending further enquiries, and subsequently travelled to Morpeth by train.

Shortly after 9pm, CCTV footage from a premises on Staithes Lane showed Willoughby – still wearing his custody clothes – gain entry to a room before leaving the scene having stolen £1,500 in cash and a mobile phone.

An investigation was launched and Willoughby was later arrested and charged with two counts of burglary.

Willoughby, of Candlesby Road, Grimsby, pleaded guilty to the offence in Newcastle in September, and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court to six months behind bars.

He pleaded guilty to the offence in Morpeth in November, and appeared at the same court on Friday, December 6, where he was jailed for 30 months.

Detective Constable Jon Mullen, of Northumbria Police, said:

Burglary is an invasive crime which seriously damages our local businesses and leaves residents feeling unsafe in their own homes.

Willoughby’s actions that day were senseless and proved he has no remorse for his actions, and I am pleased he is now facing a long spell behind bars.

We will investigate every report we receive and will do everything in our power to bring burglars such as Willoughby to justice.

We would continue to ask everyone in our communities to contact us if they see anyone acting suspiciously as this could prove crucial in helping to identify offenders.

Northumbria Police have three dedicated burglary teams based across the North East who are tasked with reviewing every break-in, pursuing perpetrators and working with colleagues to help prevent further offences from taking place.

If you’ve been a victim of crime, please report it by sending a direct message on social media, using the live chat function or by visiting the ‘Report’ page of the Force’s website. In an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, always ring 999.