Window Cleaner Turned Jewellery Thief Jailed for Over Five Years
A crafty crook who tricked elderly victims into letting him into their homes to swipe precious jewellery has been locked up for more than five years. David Thomas George Hampshire, 28, from Dagenham, pleaded guilty to four burglaries at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, 13 May.
Trusted Window Cleaner Exploited Victims’ Trust
On Monday, 10 June, Hampshire was sentenced to five years and four months behind bars. The court heard how he used his job as a window cleaner as a cover. Hampshire would clean windows, then sweet talk the victims into letting him use their toilet—and slip upstairs unsupervised to nick valuables.
His first known theft was on 21 September 2018. After cleaning windows on Rosedale Road, he returned the next day to collect payment and asked to use the toilet. The 69-year-old victim later noticed her jewellery had gone missing and informed the cleaning company, which promptly fired Hampshire.
More Thefts Followed with Same Sneaky Tactics
Undeterred, Hampshire struck again at homes on Walfrey Gardens and Farmway, Dagenham. Both victims knew and trusted him but noticed their jewellery disappeared shortly after he left. Police arrested Hampshire that same evening and charged him.
In November, a 70-year-old woman also reported missing jewellery dating back to October. She suspected her former window cleaner, leading to another arrest and charges.
Police Praise Investigation and Hope Sentence Brings Closure
“Hampshire deliberately targeted elderly individuals who trusted him, and they’ve been left shaken by his deceitful actions,” said PC Raheel Sarwar, who led the Met’s East Area Command Unit investigation.
“We hope this sentence provides them some closure and shows we are committed to getting offenders like Hampshire off our streets.”
