Kyle Thatcher broke into three homes in Staple and River between April 7 and April 20, 2022, and was discovered by a woman in her 80s while rummaging through her bedroom during the third burglary. He knocked her to the ground after stealing her jewellery and leaving her with a head injury.
The 30-year-old committed his first burglary in Staple in the late morning of Thursday, April 7. When the owners returned, they discovered a smashed window, empty jewellery boxes, and a missing duvet from one of the beds.
A dog walker discovered it the next day in Chalkpit Lane woodland and reported it to police because the duvet was blood-stained. Officers arrived and searched the area, discovering items left over from the burglary. The duvet was tested and found to be covered in Thatcher’s DNA.
On Friday, April 15, a resident of London Road, River, returned home to find doors forced open and rooms in disarray. Jewellery, designer clothing, and cash were all stolen.
The final offence occurred on Wednesday, April 20, when the victim discovered him in her room. When confronted, he shoved her out of the way and walked away with her belongings.
Thatcher, of Folkestone Road in Dover, was arrested on Wednesday, April 27th, following an investigation by the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad.
Thatcher’s phone was seized during his arrest, and an examination of the mobile data revealed that he was in the vicinity of the three burgled properties.
He was charged with three burglaries and sentenced to 32 months in prison after pleading guilty at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, May 30, 2022.
Burglary is an invasive and unsettling crime,’ said Detective Sergeant Jay Robinson of the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad. Regardless of what was stolen, victims must contend with the possibility that someone unknown and unwanted has been in their home.
In this case, Kyle Thatcher left three households to deal with the violation of privacy, which can take time to recover from.
‘Fortunately, Thatcher’s careless approach to his offending left plenty of evidence against him, so he had no choice but to admit it in court.’
‘I wish the victims the best of luck and thank them, as well as those who assisted us in our investigations, for their assistance in this case.’
