Sneak-in Burglar Leaves Knife Behind in Terrifying Raids
A brazen burglar left victims petrified after breaking into their homes while they slept – even leaving a knife in the hallway. Gary Beaton, 30, has been slammed with over seven years behind bars for targeting two homes and a supermarket in Walker, Newcastle.
Knife Left at Crime Scene After Stealing Handbags
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Beaton kicked off his crime spree on the night of September 30 last year. He forced open the front door of a Dovecourt Road home while the female occupant was asleep upstairs. The thief snatched her handbag and mobile phone, then slipped away without waking her.
Next, Beaton head to Aldi on Walker Road. CCTV caught him desperate to break in, using a kitchen knife and his foot to smash the doors. He even rammed the doors with a shopping trolley but failed to get inside and fled empty-handed.
Burglar Caught After Raiding Second Home and Leaving Weapon
Not done yet, Beaton struck again nearby on Lancefield Avenue. He snuck into the house while the occupants slept, stole another handbag, and escaped through the front door. The terrified victim woke to find a kitchen knife chillingly left behind in their hallway.
Police Slam ‘Prolific’ Thief as He’s Locked Up
Northumbria Police tracked Beaton down through CCTV and arrested him. He initially denied the charges but eventually pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, burglary, and attempted business burglary.
Beaton, of no fixed address, was jailed for seven years and six months on August 27. He was also hit with a £181 victim surcharge.
“Gary Beaton is a prolific thief who showed no regard for his victims,” said Detective Sergeant Dave Lumsden. “He used force to break in while people slept just feet away. Burglary is terrifying, especially knowing a knife was involved near bedroom doors. This sentence sends a clear message that this won’t be tolerated.”
Beaton was snared by Northumbria Police’s Central Burglary Team, who hunt down repeat offenders and target burglary hotspots across Newcastle and Gateshead.
