Notorious Burglar Busted After String of Early Morning Raids
Stephen Field, 32, went on a crime spree across Canterbury between January and May 2022. The no-fixed-address crook admitted to handling stolen goods and seven counts of burglary. He was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday, 13 October.
Early Morning Break-Ins Leave Businesses Reeling
Field targeted shops during the early hours, causing tens of thousands in damage. On January 5, he used an angle grinder to smash a store window on The Parade, racking up £15,000 in damage and nicking a mobile phone. In March, he stole an electric bike from the University of Kent. The victim spotted Field on the bike and luckily recovered it before the thief escaped.
Multiple Raids Across City Centre
- April saw three overnight break-ins: a shop on The Parade, a coffee shop on the High Street, and a supermarket on Sturry Road.
- Early May, Field struck again, stealing a bike from St George’s Lane and raiding mobile phone shops on The Parade and High Street, snatching phones and vaping gear.
CCTV and police work finally caught up with Field, leading to his arrest later that month. Some stolen items were seized from his possession.
Aggravated Burglary and Knife Possession
Field’s sentence also covers an aggravated burglary on 6 February, when he stole metal piping from a Harbledown building. He admitted carrying a knife during this theft.
Investigating officer PC Amy Waddington said: “Kent Police is determined to protect businesses from repeat offenders like Field. The thorough investigation left him no choice but to plead guilty, securing a lengthy sentence to keep the public safe.”
