Leatherhead Burglar Sent Down for Three Years
Frank Smith, 27, from Rutland Close, Leatherhead, has been locked up for over three years after terrorising Epsom and Ewell with a spree of 19 crimes.
Victims Left Traumatized by Ruthless Burglar
Smith’s victims spoke out about the lasting damage he caused. One said, “I should feel safe in my home and not have to worry about things like I do, because of him.” Another described being “manipulated” and finding it “hard to trust people” after his crimes.
A mother revealed how her house was “utterly ransacked,” leaving her children too scared to stay at home. “My daughter’s toys and horse figures were broken, and even her money box was smashed,” she said.
From Tool Theft to Targeting the Elderly
- Smith’s crime spree began in May 2022 with a £4,400 haul of tools from Buildbase in Epsom.
- He stole a Peugeot 3008 from outside a takeaway and a VW van from a petrol station while owners were nearby.
- He broke into a Co-Op staff safe and stole several hundred pounds.
- On bail, Smith followed a woman after she took cash out at Sainsbury’s, snatching her bag. He later racked up fraudulent purchases on her cards.
- His targets then shifted to homes, with jewellery worth £4,000 stolen from an elderly woman’s house.
- Smith conned an 83-year-old woman into paying £135 for gutter work he never did, then broke into her home to steal her purse.
- He also deceived a 90-year-old woman, claiming she had a rat problem before robbing her and using her bank cards fraudulently.
Police Praise Tenacity in Bringing Smith to Justice
Detective Constable Sam Wightman said: “Smith is a serial offender who escalated from theft to targeted burglaries and fraud, mainly preying on vulnerable elderly women. He caused untold distress, leaving victims unsafe in their own homes and costing them thousands. Thanks to the hard work of multiple police units, Smith is now where he belongs – behind bars.”
