Burglar travelled by train to stage Shropshire home raids
A prolific burglar who travelled by train from Manchester to target homes in Shropshire and Leominster has been jailed for four years eight months after being caught thanks to sharp-eyed residents.
Police today praised the public in Church Stretton for contacting officers when they saw Gary Paul Mayall acting suspiciously.
Yesterday Mayall, 36, from Oldham, admitted burglary of a home in Ludlow Road, Church Stretton on November 28, attempted burglary at a neighbouring home in Ludlow Road on the same day and burglary of a home in Newlands Drive, Leominster, on November 23 when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
Mayall asked for nine similar burglary offences committed in Shrewsbury and Leominster to be taken into account.
He was arrested in Church Stretton having travelled to the town by train from his home .
Detective Inspector Peter Brophy, said: "Mayall was a travelling criminal who came to Shropshire and Herefordshire to break into people's homes.
"He is a prolific burglar with a long list of crimes to his name. But thanks to the support of members of the public in Church Stretton and an excellent response from local police officers, he was quickly arrested despite trying to make good his escape.
"Several local people called the police when they spotted Mayall acting suspiciously near homes.
"They did exactly the right thing by calling us immediately. Our officers were then able to respond quickly and more or less caught him in the act."
"We need the public to help us by acting as our eyes and ears. By calling 101 or even 999 if they suspect a burglary in progress."
Mr Andrew Holland, for Mayall, said the defendant had hoped his burgling days were behind him but came out of prison, struggled to find and keep a job and fell into debt.
He said Mayall followed a code where he did not burgle a house occupied by elderly people.
Mr Holland said the defendant 'fully co-operated with the police'.
