A man has been hit with a suspended prison sentence for nicking £600 worth of metal from a property in Rowde, thanks to a lightning-quick probe by Wiltshire Police.
Metal Theft Caught on Camera
Matthew Pike, 40, from Anzio Road, Devizes, appeared before Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on December 13. He was convicted of non-dwelling burglary after CCTV footage caught him red-handed on November 8.
The footage, spotted by a keen-eyed third party, helped cops track down Pike almost immediately. During questioning, he admitted to stealing the lead valued at £600 from the property.
Suspended Prison Sentence and Costs
Pike was slapped with a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. On top of that, he must cough up £85 in Crown Prosecution Service costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
Wiltshire Police Warn Residents
“We take theft and burglary seriously and encourage property owners to report suspicious activity. Thanks to quick reporting and clear evidence, we were able to resolve this case efficiently.”
Wiltshire Police have urged homeowners to stay sharp and lock up tight. They stress the importance of CCTV and security systems, urging residents to report anything fishy straight away to help crack cases fast.
