Christmas Present Burglar Caught After Leaving Hat at the Scene
Hat Clue Nails Festive Thief
Nicholas Rooney, 54, of Folkestone, bungled his Christmas burglary by leaving behind a beanie hat and face covering at the scene. The blundering thief sneaked through a bathroom window on December 11, 2019, and made off with wrapped gifts worth around £750, including clothes, jewellery, alcohol, aftershaves, and a tablet.
Forensic Evidence Leads to Arrest
The forensic team quickly linked the hat and face covering found in the bathroom sink to Rooney, who was arrested nearly a month later on January 10, 2020. Officers also uncovered some of the stolen goodies at his home. Rooney claimed he was too drunk to remember sneaking in and said he felt guilty, even trying to return the items by dumping them in a bin near the victim’s house.
Thief Sent Down for Nearly Five Years
Rooney pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on February 27, 2020, to four years and 10 months behind bars. Detective Inspector Nigel Douglas slammed the crime:
“Burglary is a terrible crime that can have a long-lasting impact on victims. There are few things worse than knowing someone has entered your home uninvited and helped themselves to your belongings.”
He added: “Rooney has shown remorse, but that doesn’t excuse the distress he caused. We hope he uses his time in prison to think hard about the damage he’s done and doesn’t harm anyone else after his release.”
