Couple Caught Pawning Stolen Jewellery Across Cambs
Burglar Busted Hiding in Cupboard
Gareth Farrington, 36, finally owned up to smashing into two homes in Girton and another in Hilton last spring (March and April 2022). His girlfriend, 31-year-old Rachel McGill, also copped to handling stolen goods from dozens of properties across Cambs, including Girton, Hilton, Cottenham, Caldecote, and even as far as Swaffham.
Pawned Thousands in Jewellery Grabbed from Homes
CCTV and pawn shop receipts exposed the pair’s trail as they sold off thousands of pounds’ worth of jewellery to jewellers and pawnbrokers county-wide. They were arrested at their Chesterton Road home in October 2022, where Farrington was found squatting in a locked cupboard.
Officers recovered loads of jewellery, watches, and foreign currency — most of which was later returned to the victims.
Sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court
On 10 March at Cambridge Crown Court, Farrington pleaded guilty to three burglaries and ten counts of handling stolen goods. He was sentenced to six years and two months behind bars.
McGill pleaded guilty to 16 counts of handling stolen goods and was handed three years in prison.
Detective Slams ‘Career Burglar’ Duo
“Farrington is a career burglar who worked alongside his girlfriend to break into homes in search of cash, foreign currency and high-value jewellery. The pair have caused misery to their victims, taking items of huge sentimental value yet for very little financial gain,” said Detective Sergeant James Rabbett.
“We were pleased to be able to reunite many of the victims with their jewellery. For those we haven’t, we hope this sentence offers some reassurance that justice has been served by the courts.”
