Thief Jailed for Stealing Charity Tins from Horsham Café
A man who smashed his way into a Horsham café and nicked three charity collection tins has been locked up. The break-in at The Conservatory Café on North Street happened around 11.30pm on Monday, 13 May.
Blood, Broken Glass and a Lucky Break for Police
Officers found smashed windows and blood at the scene. Witnesses reported a suspicious bloke lurking nearby just before the crime. Using the tip-offs and a clear description, police zeroed in on a suspect.
Suspect Caught with Cuts and Busted for Burglary
The very next evening, a PCSO patrolling Hurst Road spotted Kieran Blunden, 33, unemployed and with no fixed address. Cuts on his hand matched fresh injuries from the break-in. More officers moved in, arrested him, and charged him with burglary.
Blunden appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 16 May and was hit with a 12-week jail sentence. He was also ordered to cough up £50 compensation.
Charity Theft Added to His Crimes
It wasn’t just the café tins. Blunden also admitted stealing another charity box from 1 Research shop in West Street on 14 May. This offence sealed his fate in court.
“Blunden’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and his past record,” said Investigations Supervisor 1 Bell. “He targeted the most vulnerable in our community – a truly diabolical crime.
“Thanks to the café owner, the eyewitness, and the sharp-eyed PCSO whose local knowledge nailed Blunden and got him caught.”
