Nottinghamshire burglar spared jail after being 'caught on camera' breaking into home

Arron Priestley, 28, smashed his way in on 10 January 2020 but left when he was disturbed by a neighbour.

A doorbell camera protecting the property captured footage of Priestley at the front door ringing the bell and looking through into the house. His movements activated the camera on four occasions, including as he tried the door handle.

The tenants were alerted to Priestley's movements after receiving notifications on their mobile phones. They called their landlord and the police were notified.

A police officer confirmed that Priestley was the man in the CCTV footage.

He had searched upstairs rooms but nothing was taken from the house.

Priestley, of Range Road, Newark, was found by police the next morning. Officers arrested him after finding him hiding under insulation in the loft of a property on Browns Court, Farnsfield.

He was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, March 9, after pleading guilty to burglary.

He received a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Detective Sergeant Mark Shaw, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Smart technology, such as doorbell cameras, can play a key role in catching criminals when footage is captured, downloaded and shared with the police.

“A doorbell camera alone will not prevent entry to your property, but it can be an important tool to identify who was responsible for criminality and also act as a deterrent. In Priestley's case the evidence was there for all to see.”