Man jailed for more than five years after admitting to 25 burglaries in Suffolk and Norfolk
Frank Benet, 36, has been jailed for more than five years after admitting to 25 burglaries PIcture: SUFFOLK POLICE - Credit: Archant
A 36-year-old man has been jailed for five years and four months after pleading guilty to 25 burglaries across Suffolk and Norfolk.
Frank Benet, of no fixed address, was sentenced at King’s Lynn Crown Court today, Tuesday September 25,.
Benet was arrested on June 8 and charged with a burglary at a house in Newland Close in Lowestoft in March where a Nissan Qashqai, three televisions, two tablets a laptop and watches were stolen.
He was also charged with three other burglaries which took place in May, the first in Aldeburgh Road, Leiston, the second in School Lane, Heckingham, Norfolk, and the third in Burstall Lane, Sproughton.
While in custody, Benet worked with officers from Suffolk Constabulary’s Operation Converter, an initiative encouraging offenders to own up to previous crimes, where he admitted to a further 21 burglaries - 16 in Suffolk and five in Norfolk.
Most of the burglaries took place between March and June this year, although another dated back to December 2011.
DC Duncan Etchells said: “House burglary is an intrusive crime that can have devastating effects on the victims.
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“We are determined to continue to bring those who are responsible for this type of crime to justice.
“The message to burglars is simple; if we have information that you are burgling people’s homes, we will use all powers and tactics available to us to arrest you and ensure the Courts deal with you appropriately.”
A police spokesman said Operation Converter gave peace of mind to victims of crime.
She said: “ Operation Converter is an initiative aimed at encouraging offenders to admit their crimes.
“This has benefits for all – police are able to give victims some peace of mind that an offender has been caught for the burglary of their home or the theft of their property and the individual has the opportunity to clear their slate so they can have a fresh start when they are released from prison, without the possibility they will later be traced for a further offence.
“Offenders have to give sufficient detail for officers to be sure they have committed the crime and these offences are then ‘taken into consideration’ at sentencing.
“The judge will look at all the offences before determining the sentence.”
