Swift justice as burglar jailed four days after offence
A burglar who broke into a Shropshire home has been jailed for six months – just four days after committing the offence.
Jacob Sidney Bassom, 21, of Bronwylfa in Llanymynech, near Oswestry, stole a haul of items including a plasma television and two ornamental swords from a property in Pant on Monday night.
The burglary was reported to police on Tuesday and forensic examination was conducted on Wednesday.
Fingerprints led police to the offender on Thursday. Bassom was arrested and appeared before Shrewsbury magistrates yesterday, when he was given a six-month prison sentence.
He admitted burglary and stealing a 50-inch Samsung plasma television, two laptops, two ornamental swords, some jewellery and alcohol.
The stolen property was recovered from an address in the Oswestry area.
Detective Inspector Pete Brophy, from the West Mercia Police burglary unit based in Shrewsbury, said: "Some excellent police work enabled us to bring this burglar to justice in the same week the offence was committed.
"Domestic burglaries are a priority for the police and due to the nature of this incident, it was highlighted for forensic examination carried out by Shropshire Scenes of Crime Officers on Wednesday.
"Further enquiries were made by local burglary unit officers.
"A number of suspicious fingerprints were found by the SOCO officers and these were forwarded to the fingerprint bureau. A match was made on Thursday confirming Bassom as a suspect.
"He was arrested at an address in Pant, interviewed by staff when he fully admitted his involvement.
"Evidence was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service and a decision made to charge him and keep him in custody overnight to appear before Shrewsbury magistrates."
Superintendent James Tozer, West Mercia's Shropshire commander, said: "Excellent teamwork by police officers and staff resulted in a good and fast result."
