Charity Tin Thief Nabbed and Jailed After Horsham Café Break-In
A desperate thief who smashed into a Horsham café and swiped three charity collection tins has been landed with a jail sentence.
Break-In and Bloody Clues
The Conservatory Café on North Street was targeted just before midnight on Monday, May 13. Police discovered smashed windows and even traces of blood at the scene. Locals reported seeing a suspicious man lurking nearby around the time of the break-in.
Quick Arrest After Sharp Police Work
Thanks to the tip-off and witness descriptions, officers were on the lookout. The following evening, a patrol spotted Kieran Blunden, 33, roaming Hurst Road with fresh cuts on his hand – a tell-tale sign he’d been involved in the violent break-in.
Blunden, unemployed and of no fixed address, was swiftly arrested and charged with burglary. He was remanded in custody and appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on May 16.
Jail Time and Compensation Ordered
The court handed Blunden a 12-week prison sentence and ordered him to pay £50 in compensation. He also admitted to stealing a charity box from the 1 Research shop in West Street on May 14, which factored into the sentencing.
“Blunden’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence committed and takes into account his previous offending history,” said Investigations Supervisor PC Bell. “This was a diabolical offence whereby the defendant has stolen from the most vulnerable in our community.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved for helping to bring him to justice – from the café owner who initially reported it, to the witness who provided a good description, and the PCSO whose local knowledge led to Blunden’s arrest.”
