Nicholas Gallagher, jailed 36 months for burglary

A PROLIFIC burglar who stole thousands of pounds worth of property during raids at 38 homes and businesses in Suffolk and Essex during an eight year period has been jailed for three years.

Nicholas Gallagher, who was jailed for three years in 2002 and again in 2005 for house burglaries, stole mainly jewellery and computers during the break-ins to fund his gambling addiction, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Gallagher, 42, of Bill Rickaby Drive, Newmarket admitted four offences of burglary and asked for 34 offences to be taken into consideration.

Jailing him for three years Reocrder Craig Ferguson said the majority of the burglaries were at people’s homes and a few were at commercial premises.

He said that three of the burglaries which took place in Wells Street, St John’s Street and Fenn Way in Bury St Edmunds dated back to 2004 while the rest had been committed last year.

“You are a prolific burglar who was invading the homes of members of the public who lived in Suffolk and Essex,” said the judge.

Robert Sadd, prosecuting, said that after his arrest Gallagher had co-operated with the police to identify properties he had broken into.

He said the burglaries committed by Gallagher had taken place in The Street, Stoke-by-Clare; Bridle Street, Clare; Snow Hill Close, Clare; London Hill, Debenham and York Road, Sudbury.

Other burglaries had taken place at properties in Halstead, Earls Colne, Sible Hedingham and Castle Hedingham.

He said that property stolen by Gallagher included thousands of pounds worth of computers, jewellery and pictures.

Samantha Leigh for Gallagher said her client had co-operated with police to clear up previously unsolved burglaries in a bid to wipe the slate clean.

She said in the past Gallagher had committed offences to fund drink and drug addictions but recent offences were committed to fund his gambling addiction.