Serial South Tyneside burglar caught after dropping his baseball cap at scene of crime

A serial burglar who targeted five homes on the same street has been jailed after dropping his baseball cap at the scene.

David Hawkes, 42, broke into two houses and tried to sneak into three others during a late night spree in Cleadon, South Tyneside, in August 2023. Hawkes, who has racked up 97 convictions, broke into two homes, accidentally waking the occupant of one who saw him stood in her hallway.

A violent confrontation ensued outside as her partner caught Hawkes in the driving seat of their vehicle, with the victim suffering facial injuries. The offender dropped his baseball back in his desperate bid to get away, which police seized from the scene.

• Read more: South Shields crime gang members admit false imprisonment, blackmail and torture of three men

• Keep up to date with all the latest local news from South Tyneside with our free newsletter

It later came back as a forensic match to Hawkes. After police launched an investigation, Hawkes was also seen on CCTV trying the door of three other properties on the same street between 3am and 6am.

On Friday, June 7, Hawkes of Wendover Close, Witherwack, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and three counts of attempted burglary at Newcastle Crown Court. He was jailed for 45 months.

PC Louise Edwards, who works for one of Northumbria Police's dedicated burglary teams, said: "This was no doubt a terrifying ordeal for the victims, especially the one who woke up to see Hawkes stood in her home. She has had to live with the emotional and psychological impact of his selfishness for the last 10 months.

"Everyone should feel safe in their own home. Burglary is such an intrusive crime which can have a significant impact not only on victims and their families, but the wider community as a whole.

"Hawkes should be absolutely ashamed of his actions and I am pleased that he now begins a substantial spell behind bars."