Victim speaks of trauma caused by 'very frightening' burglary
The burglary victim, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke of the trauma of the experience - Credit: Sarah Lucy Brown
A burglary victim has spoken of the trauma caused by the crime and has urged people to take preventative measures to protect themselves.
The woman, who did not want to be named, was speaking after the man responsible for burgling her home - along with a series of others - was jailed for more than seven years.
Stevie White, 37, of Fairhead Road North, Colchester, committed a string of burglaries across the Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury areas.
He was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at Luton Crown Court on March 24.
Stevie White was jailed at Luton Crown Court for seven-and-a-half years - Credit: Suffolk Constabulary
The victim, who was only out of the house for 45 minutes when the burglary took place, said tens of thousands of pounds worth of personal items were stolen - some of which had sentimental value.
"It was really traumatic and continues to be traumatic if I let it, which I try not to. There's always an element of fear when we go out," she said.
"I'm always aware. It sounds a little bit dramatic but it's a very real frightening experience.
"I did get given this form to fill in about my experience but I haven't been able to do it because it's just too hard, and that sounds pathetic.
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"But it's just too hard to relive it because I was just so upset about what I'd been through.
"You go through a process of grief. You can fix the house, you can fix the lock, you can replace certain things and claim back on the insurance.
"But that's not it. When you are violated in such a way, it's the other side of things. It's a very unpleasant experience."
She also urged people to be more aware of how to protect themselves from falling victim to burglars.
"My message would be for people to be more aware of things which they would otherwise take for granted," she said.
"Because if it starts a conservation for someone reading this to say: 'I must get that broken window fixed' or: 'I should cut that hedge down to make it safer,' then it's a positive thing."
For more advice on burglary prevention from Suffolk police, click here.
