Swindon man jailed following series of burglaries in Wiltshire and Hampshire

A Swindon man has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for his involvement in a series of burglaries in Stubbington and Swindon earlier this year.

Christopher Daniel Clarke (also known as Christopher Skriabin), 46, of Whitworth Road in Swindon, was arrested on 12 June and charged with the following:

• Burglary at an address in Harold Road, Stubbington, on 17 April where collectable coins were stolen.
• Burglary at an address in Wicks Close, Swindon, on 9 June where £10 was stolen.
• Attempted burglary at an address in Wicks Close, Swindon, on 9 June.
• Burglary at an address in Dart Avenue, Swindon, on 9 June where £150 of cash and jewellery were stolen.

The charges follow investigations by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s specialist Operation Hawk team, and Wiltshire Police’s Fortitude Swindon team.

On Friday 14 July at Swindon Crown Court Clarke admitted the charges - he was sentenced at the same court on Wednesday 19 July.

Det Con Jared Yalden said: "Burglary is an intrusive crime and can be extremely upsetting and distressing for the victims, who should feel safe and secure within their homes.

"We have worked closely with our colleagues across the border in Hampshire during this investigation to ensure Clarke's level of offending was clear for the courts to see, and we are pleased that a significant sentence has been given.

"We will do everything we possibly can to support those who have been affected by these crimes and bring offenders to justice. I’d like to thank our colleagues in Hampshire for helping us to bring this joint investigation to this conclusion."

For more information on how to protect your home from burglary, visit our crime prevention page: Keep burglars out of your property | Wiltshire Police

To report a burglary, call 999 if the crime is in progress, or 101 to report further information. Alternatively, call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.