Burglar who targeted homes in Workington is jailed

John Porter, 42, of no fixed address was sentenced with: Attempted burglary dwelling with intent to steal, possessing a controlled drug of Class A – cocaine, possessing a controlled drug of Class B – cannabis, burglary dwelling and theft – no violence, burglary other than dwelling - theft, burglary dwelling – with intent to steal. 

The incidents occurred on December 17, 2022, where Porter targeted four properties in the Northside and Seaton areas in the early hours.

Porter was interrupted at two properties targeted leaving empty handed.

During one of the incidents Porter took items of clothes totalling £150 taken, two pairs of headphones, an Oculus game console box, white oculus headphones and an Xbox game.

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Detective Constable Gail Penman said: “Porter embarked on a crime spree targeting residential properties in the early hours, taking items where he could and leaving a trail of property during his spree.

“Our communities should feel secure in their own homes.

“We take burglary offences extremely seriously and those who carry out similar offences can also expect to face a police investigation and prosecution.”

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Property was returned to the occupants having been found by a members of the public in the area and items located in the front garden.

During arrest enquiries at Porters home address officers located items that were reported as being taken from properties in the bin.

Porter was arrested and officers located two wraps of powder which were tested and confirmed as Cocaine and the other is Cannabis.

A search was carried out at the address and clothes were located that matched CCTV of a man in the area of the incidents.

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