Bodycam shows burglar dragged from bushes near football legends' homes
A prolific burglar who raided mansions near the homes of Premier League stars has been jailed – after he was twice caught hiding in bushes. Liam Curry, 28, broke into two properties and tried to raid a third in upmarket Darras Hall in Ponteland, Northumberland.
The multi-million pound estate is home to a string of footballers including Newcastle United star Alexander Isak and former England legend Alan Shearer. Curry was caught hiding in bushes after the raids last January and was jailed for two years but was released after serving half his sentence.
Last month the crook, who has 29 previous convictions, was caught after breaking into a house in Gateshead, in Tyne and Wear. Bizarrely, he again tried to evade cops by hiding in a nearby hedge.
Police bodycam shows Curry being dragged from the undergrowth when officers swooped on the area 30 minutes after receiving a 999 call. Curry, of Gateshead, admitted burglary and was jailed for two years and four months at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday (9/5).
Detective Sergeant Stuart Taylor, of Northumbria Police, said: “Curry clearly did not learn his lesson, and this was fantastic work from our frontline officers to secure an arrest within 30 minutes of the report being made. Victims of burglaries are often left feeling unsafe in their own homes, and I am confident this sentence for a repeat offender will be welcomed by our communities.
“Burglars and thieves are typically opportunistic and will often go from street to street in their efforts to find an unlocked door or window.”
During last January's raids Curry broke into the first Darras Hall property while the homeowner was asleep in the living room. Curry stole £1,500 worth of items including a laptop and paperwork but was caught when his phone rang and the homeowner woke up.
He fled the scene but 15 minutes later he broke into the home of an 88-year-old woman who confronted him and he left claiming he was lost. Curry then went to another property but the homeowner saw him trying the door handle and called police.
The crook hid in bushes but was found by a police dog handler minutes later. Darras Hall is the most expensive area of Northumberland with properties averaging £1 million and is home to several Premier League footballers.
On January 13 this year burglars broke into Newcastle United star Joelinton's home while his team played Manchester City. On April 4 his teammate and neighbour Alexander Isak’s home was also targeted by thieves who stole his car which was later found abandoned three miles away.
Four Croatian men aged 23, 27, 31 and 42, have been charged with burglary. Crime figures reveal there have been 17 reported burglaries in Darras Hall since last January.