Serial Burglar Jailed After Crashing Stolen Car Into Lamppost
A brazen thief smashed a stolen car into a lamppost just moments after burgling a family home — and his own blood gave him away. David Hawkes, 39, broke into a Sunderland house on Howarth Street in the early hours of January 7 while the family was asleep.
He pinched the keys to a Nissan Micra parked outside and sped off, only to lose control about a mile away on Tudor Grove. The car crashed, the airbag deployed, and Hawkes fled on foot, leaving the mangled motor behind.
Blood on Airbag Seals His Fate
Police forensic experts were quick to spot a tiny drop of blood on the airbag. Tests confirmed it matched Hawkes’ DNA. Initially, the crook claimed he was just a passenger and denied the burglary. But he soon caved and admitted his crime during his court hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on September 10.
42 Months Behind Bars for Sunderland Burglar
Hawkes, from Havelock Court, Sunderland, was sentenced to 42 months in prison on November 27. Detective Constable Neil Swainston praised the investigation, saying:
“David Hawkes is a serial criminal who has been a drain on police resources. He’s caused misery to families across Sunderland with his selfish crimes. Now he’s off the streets, and this sentence sends a clear message to offenders across the North East.”
Det Con Swainston added:
“Hawkes showed total disregard by breaking into a family home and stealing their car. Before the victims even realised, police had a tip-off about the crash and the driver fleeing the scene.
“Our forensic experts proved how even the tiniest drop of blood or bodily fluid can catch criminals. Families across Sunderland can sleep easier knowing he’s behind bars.”
Dedicated Team Tackling Burglary in Sunderland
Det Con Swainston is part of Southwick Police Station’s Southern Burglary Team. This unit is committed to reviewing every break-in in Sunderland and South Tyneside. Working closely with local neighbourhood teams, they track crime trends and help prevent burglaries before they happen.
