Jewel Thief Paul Bruce Snaps Up Stolen Bling After Barbecue Snoop
Paul Bruce targeted a woman’s home after spotting her at a barbecue last year. Realising no one would be home, he used keys he already had to break in. Bruce, once linked to a family member of the victim, had access to the keys that opened her property in Shernolds.
Heartless Break-In and Daring Sales
On 12 July 2020, Bruce saw the victim and her partner at the barbecue, then slipped away. Using the keys, he entered the house, raided a bedroom, and nicked a valuable jewellery collection.
The very next day, Bruce sold some of the stolen gems to a maidstone/" title="Maidstone" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Maidstone jeweller, claiming they were his. Over the next few months, he returned three more times between 31 July and 16 November to offload the rest, trying not to raise suspicion.
Victim Spots Thief, Police Close In
The theft was spotted in December, when the victim found her jewellery box emptied. She called police and then the jewellery store, which confirmed the items had been sold there. When shown a photo of the seller, she immediately identified Bruce.
Bruce, 32, with no fixed address, was arrested on 21 January 2021. He was charged with burglary and four counts of fraud linked to selling stolen goods. He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced on 29 April to two years and nine months behind bars.
Detective’s Warning After Callous Crime
“The victim was unaware that Bruce had keys to her home. He had connections to her relatives which he has abused in the most appalling way,” said Detective Constable Matt Thomas of West Kent CID.
“His actions caused a great deal of distress, not just from the loss of personal property, but the invasion of private space. I hope this sentence provides some reassurance that justice has been served.”
