Thief caught after leaving fingerprints at church crime scenes
A Darlington thief who targeted churches across Teesdale was caught after his fingerprints were discovered by crime scene investigators.
Simon Michael McPhee broke into St Mary’s Church, in Staindrop, overnight on September 10, smashing a stained glass window before stealing a silver jug. He then tried to burgle St Mary’s Church, in Newgate, Barnard Castle, on September 12, but was thwarted by a church warden.
Crime scene investigators recovered McPhee’s fingerprints at both scenes. He was subsequently arrested outside the Savers store, in Barnard Castle, after stealing three bottles of fragrance on Tuesday, September 17.
The 39-year-old, of Darlington, answered no comment to all questions in interview. He was remanded into custody and charged with burglary, attempted burglary, theft and handling stolen goods.
McPhee appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on September 20 where he pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Sergeant Angela Drasdo, of Barnard Castle Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Burglary is a despicable crime but even more shameful on a place of religious worship.
“Our team worked tirelessly to gather all the evidence needed to put McPhee before the court and I hope this sends a strong message to other opportunists that we are vigilant as a community and will not tolerate this type of behaviour.”
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