A WHITEHAVEN man has been jailed after he burgled a house in Whitehaven, leaving it extensively damaged. 

Daniel Rafferty, 35, of Meadow Road, Whitehaven was given a two year sentence at Carlisle Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to both burglary and causing criminal damage.

He committed the offences in April.

The alarm was raised after police received a 999 call reporting that a man had been seen breaking into a neighbour’s parked car at Brakeside Gardens, Whitehaven.

The suspect was also seen inside the home of the car's owner.

Officers arrived to find the house window had been smashed at the rear of the property. 

Inside, officers saw that bleach had been poured over items inside including the sofa and items thrown around the address. A set of car keys that had been left on the mantle piece had gone missing.  

Rafferty was identified as a suspect who at the time was on licence for earlier offending; he had been fitted with a tag. Enquiries  confirmed Rafferty had burgled the house.

Detective Constable Linzi Wilkinson from Cumberland CID said “We would like to remind people to remain vigilant to the threat of thefts and burglaries.

“Thanks to the vigilance of neighbour’s officers attended the location and swiftly arrested Rafferty for the offence. “Burglary offences will not be tolerated and those that engage in these activities will face a police investigation and prosecution.

“You can report suspicious persons or activity to police via our online reporting form, live chat or 101 or if a crime is occurring on 999.”

This report is based on a police press release. For a full report of the hearing, see tomorrow's News & Star.