Sidcup burglar stole jewellery, mobile phones, and laptops from houses across Kent

A South East London burglar who pilfered sentimental jewellery from homes in Kent has been jailed. Patrick Moloney, 21, of Old Maidstone Road, in Sidcup, admitted eight burglaries at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, June 27, and was jailed for three years and four months.

Between October 24 and November 2, 2023, Moloney travelled with accomplices by car into Kent and broke into several houses while no one was home. The addresses, all on the outskirts of towns, were ransacked for jewellery, phones, and computers.

But the Kent Crime Squad caught up with them after looking at CCTV and forensically examining the scenes. They identified the car being used and it was recovered from Wickford in Essex. Inside was stolen jewellery along with Moloney's DNA. After proving he was in the area of the burglaries when they were committed, Moloney was arrested on December 6 last year.

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Investigating officer, Detective Constable Josh Littley, said: "Moloney and his partners-in-crime broke into houses without considering the impact this would have on the victims, thinking only of stealing portable property to make a quick profit. Much of the jewellery was of sentimental value and Moloney should be thoroughly ashamed of his actions.

"Burglary is such an invasive crime and we will leave no stone unturned to track down those responsible. In this case, some diligent investigative work ensured Moloney was promptly detained and evidence was recovered to guarantee he was brought to justice."

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