Five years' jail for burglar who targeted properties in Bedford and Rushden

Dawid Sumislawski, 32, of Leighfield Close, Bedford, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday following a trial relating to a Rushden burglary in July 2015, to which he had been found guilty. He was also convicted of criminal damage, assault with intent to injure and possession of a Class B drug (cannabis).

Sumislawski had previously admitted three counts of burglary committed between June and September last year, one relating to a Rushden offence, two in Bedford.

He also pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, after using a bank card stolen from one from one of the Bedford break-ins.

Detective Constable Kevin Howes, who led the case, said: “I am pleased Sumislawski has been put behind bars for his callous and costly crime spree, in which he helped himself to the hard-earned luxuries of innocent people.

“Sumislawski stole cash, jewellery and electrical goods during these break-ins and in doing so, caused immeasurable distress to his victims, one of whom was a particularly vulnerable elderly female, who lay asleep whilst he stole property of great sentimental value. Sumislawski was so brazen that he used a stolen bank card from one of the offences to fund more than £100 worth of gambling.

“We will not tolerate burglary in Bedfordshire and are investing in ever-smarter ways to trace burglars and bring them to justice.”