Bloody towel leads to Canterbury burglar’s three-year jail sentence
A bungling thief left a blood-stained towel at the scene of a botched Broadstairs burglary – and it landed him behind bars for three years.
Botched break-in exposed by blood trail
Kye Shipman-O’Connor, 20, broke into a Queens Gardens home in Broadstairs on 24 April 2019, hoping to nick valuables. But the homeowner arrived home early, forcing him to hide in the attic until later.
The victim heard noises upstairs and discovered the loft hatch ajar, a window open, and damaged roof tiles – all signs of forced entry. Despite causing more than £1,800 in damage, nothing was stolen. However, cops found a suitcase filled with stolen goods in the bathroom – along with a towel smeared with blood.
Forensic evidence seals his fate
Tests on the bloody towel linked Shipman-O’Connor directly to the burglary. He pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal at Canterbury Crown Court on 1 July 2019.
Shipman-O’Connor, of The Hoystings Close in Canterbury, also admitted handling stolen goods after being caught with a stolen holdall bag on a train two weeks earlier. The bag was taken from a Whitehall Gardens property on 8 April 2019.
Already on the run, now locked up
The court heard Shipman-O’Connor was already out on licence for similar crimes when he committed these offences. The judge handed down a hefty three-year prison sentence.
Detective Sergeant Jay Robinson said: “This is a shining example of how burglars think they can steal from others without a care for the victims affected, and assume they can hide from justice, whether it’s in a loft or on a train. My team of officers are determined and will review all available evidence and CCTV footage in case it provides a crucial clue to identify who is responsible for the crime. Our message to burglars is clear: We will find you – wherever you hide – and bring you before the courts to answer justice.”
