Burglar Beggar Busted: Rebecca Connelly Jailed for 12 Months
Rebecca Connelly, 29, has been slammed with a one-year jail sentence after flouting a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and pulling off a daring burglary. The woman, who has no fixed address, was caught begging in Gosport and stealing cash from a property on the same day.
Defiant Begging Breach Leads to Burglary Charge
- Connelly was slapped with a CBO back in November 2019 forbidding her from entering parts of Fareham town centre and begging from the public.
- On 12 November this year, despite the ban, she was spotted begging on Victoria Street, Gosport.
- Later the same evening, between 6.50pm and 7.20pm, she burgled a nearby home, pinching £260 in cash.
Justice Served at Portsmouth Crown Court
On Thursday 10 December, at Portsmouth Crown Court, Connelly pled guilty to burglary and breaching the CBO. She was sentenced to 10 months for the burglary, plus an extra two months consecutively for defying the CBO, slamming the door shut on her freedom for a full year.
Police Crackdown on Persistent Begging and Crime
“Rebecca Connelly is a persistent beggar in the Fareham and Gosport areas,” said Gosport Inspector Matt Wake. “We sympathise with individual circumstances, but this behaviour impacts local residents and often ties into other crimes.”
“Connelly’s actions escalated into burglary. CBOs exist to stop this, but some still break the law. We urge anyone affected by such anti-social behaviour or crime to report it so we can act swiftly.”
The crackdown sends a clear message: breaking the law and defying court orders won’t be tolerated in Fareham and Gosport.
