Bristol car thief caught in police sting
A Bristol car thief who broke into a police car trap and stole a purse has been jailed for six months after he was filmed by an in-car camera.
Dean Hancock broke into the silver Peugeot without knowing it had been parked on Constitution Hill, Clifton, in a bid to catch a thief.
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Bristol car thief Dean Hancock caught on camera in a police sting
The entire episode was captured by a tiny camera filming from inside the vehicle.
Hancock, 29, of Branche Grove, Hartcliffe, pleaded guilty to theft – this being the second incident involving a covert police car.
Imposing a six-month jail term plus a 32-week previously suspended sentence, Judge Simon Darwall-Smith told him: "You are a serial thief, particularly from motor cars.
"The public deserves as much protection from your activities that the court is able to give.
"Individually the offence was relatively minor, but it's the quantity that makes it serious. Again and again and again you are committing offences against people's property."
Mark Hollier, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Hancock was caught as part of Avon & Somerset Police's campaign on car crime.
He said: "On March 4 police parked a silver Peugeot on Constitution Hill. It was fitted with a DVD camera that activated if anyone should try to break in.
"On March 6 the vehicle was broken into and the only item stolen was a £5 silver purse.
"A Tom Tom satellite navigation system, cigarettes and a rucksack were left unharmed. Police saw the door lock had been forced and the purse was missing. The DVD was viewed and it was as plain as day it was this defendant."
The court heard Hancock was arrested on March 9, failed to answer questions in interview but pleaded guilty to magistrates at the first opportunity.
Hancock had a previous conviction for stealing a satellite navigation system from a covert police car, as well as a private car.
On a further occasion he was convicted for vehicle interference, after his DNA was found on a water bottle, and yet another time he was found by a car owner trying to remove her car stereo – but took so long about it police turned up and grabbed him.
Oliver Willmott, defending, said his client had completed eight months of a drug rehabilitation requirement but breached the terms of a substance-related offending course because he couldn't deal with group work.
He said: "It's obviously the case this is a repeat offender but the value of the purse was low and no emotional distress was caused."
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by Katie, stokes croft
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 11:36PM
“Exactly, and they carry on claiming off the taxpayer and living the life of riley. so the police are campaigning on car crime - if this is the case, then why did they not bother to come and look at my car on the 3 occassions it's been broken into? When i reported them, i was practically laughed out of the station every time. People break into cars because they know they can get away with it. Apart from this case obviously, but only because it was a police car and there was a camera.”
by Joe, Bristol
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 9:24PM
“So the judge thinks it's find and dandy for yobs to break into other people's property, as long as they don't do it too often?
He's quoted as saying, "Individually the offence was relatively minor". The public should have a right to hold on to their possessions and expect to find them in the same state they were when they left. No "just once" exceptions.
Katie - no surprise at your experience with Plod. Remember, they are there to protect the human rights of criminals and stuff the rest of us.”
by Alrite my babby, Bristol
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 6:23PM
“Idiot, get a job like the rest of us. Mug!”
by katie, stokes croft
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 5:41PM
“why do a minority think they can break into a car and help themselves to whatever they want? ive had my car broken into 3 times, even though nothing was on show and its a horrible thing to have happen. went to the police every time and they didnt care at all. I understand there are more serious crimes, but to me my car is important. glad he got what he deserves, hopefully he will learn.”
by Happy Mum, Happy land
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 12:29PM
“GOTCHA - now smile for the camera!!”