Two Bedford burglars jailed after CCTV caught them using stolen bank cards

Two men from Bedford have been jailed for a total of nine years and one month for burglary offences after they were identified on CCTV when using stolen bank cards.

Justin Wilson, 42 of no fixed abode, and Emmerson Shaw, 43 of Richbell Court, Bedford, were sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday, April 28, after pleading guilty to a string of offences that took place across the town.

At around 2.30pm on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, Wilson and Shaw entered the changing room area of a leisure centre in Bedford where they stole property belonging to three separate victims.

Between 10pm on September 16, and 7.30am on September 17, 2019, Wilson and Shaw entered a property via a front bay window on Sidney Road, Bedford, where they stole a number of items including a handbag and three bank cards.

The victim received a text alert from her bank informing her of a transaction that had taken place.

The victim checked her online banking and realised that all three cards had been used in contactless transactions at various locations across Bedford.

The offenders were traced and identified through CCTV footage at the locations where the stolen bank cards were used.

Wilson was sentenced to three years imprisonment and Shaw was sentenced to six years and one month imprisonment.

Detective Constable Kevin Howes from Bedfordshire Police’s Crime Investigation Team said: “We are satisfied that both Wilson and Shaw have received custodial sentences and will hopefully take this time to reflect on their actions.

“These type of offences have a huge effect on the victims involved and we will do all we can to investigate and bring these offenders to justice.”

To report a burglary, please call 101. If a crime is in progress, or you are in immediate danger, always call 999.

If you have been affected by crime you can contact Signpost for free and confidential support, whether the crime has been reported to the police or not.