Prolific burglar caught after leaving police big clue at crime scenes

A prolific burglary spree which caused distress to residents in three towns ended when the culprit left police a big clue. Not only did CCTV capture Neil Farthing breaking into homes but footprints left at properties he targeted matched exactly the trainers he was wearing when arrested.

During seven burglaries and attempted ones he stolen two Audis plus other valuables.

In the early hours of July 2nd this year Farthing targeted three properties in Warrington. People at addresses in Atlanta Gardens, Elmsett Close, and Brightwell Close, all reported the locks on their doors had been tampered with, although the offender had not managed to gain access to the properties.

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On Wednesday, August 14 Farthing switched to Northwich and targeted two different properties, again during the early hours of the morning.

A resident in Priory Avenue, Davenham, reported someone had broken into their address by breaking the locks on the conservatory door, however they did not break through the internal door, preventing them from accessing the rest of the address.

During the same morning, Farthing targeted an address in Headworth Close where he broke into the property and took the keys to an Audi which was parked on the driveway. He subsequently stole the vehicle, and was therefore driving without insurance and while disqualified.

Just a few days later, during the early hours of August 19 Farthing targeted two properties in Chester. A resident in Newhall Road was disturbed by noises in the address. They noticed a figure through the window and the suspect fled. They reported the kitchen window had been tampered with and was damaged.

Occupants in Ormonde Road woke to find their doorbell camera had activated while they were sleeping and showed a man trying to get into the property. The man had gained access by forcing the lock to the patio doors. Once inside, he stole sunglasses, a watch, a wallet, and the keys to an Audi which was parked on the driveway. The vehicle itself had also been stolen but was subsequently recovered from the Golbourne area of Wigan.

Farthing was arrested on August 22 following a joint investigation between officers from Chester and Merseyside. Farthing was identified from CCTV of some of the incidents. Footwear prints found at one of the scenes also matched the trainers Farthing was wearing on arrest.

Police Constable James Wright, of Chester Proactive Team, said: “Farthing is a prolific burglar and has a number of previous convictions for similar offences. He travelled into Cheshire from Merseyside to commit this series of burglaries. Thankfully he did not manage to gain access to all of the properties he targeted, but this does not take away from the distress caused to residents.

“This case has been a real team effort, with officers from different areas and different departments pulling together to hold this criminal to justice. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and Farthing completely disregarded this, targeting people’s homes while they were sleeping. I hope the sentence handed to Farthing will provide some reassurance to the community of how seriously we take offences of this nature.”

Farthing, of Pennard Avenue, Huyton, appeared at Chester Crown Court where he was sentenced to six years and six months. The 37-year-old admitted four counts of attempted burglary, three counts of burglary, and two counts of driving without insurance and driving while disqualified.