Another burglar behind bars for Christmas thanks to Operation Sleigh

A burglar is behind bars for Christmas thanks to quick action by local residents in Newcastle.

At around 11.45pm officers on the Newcastle North Neighbourhood Policing Team received a report that a man was attempting to break into vehicles and garages on the Great Park estate.

Officers responded and a man was arrested nearby matching the description provided by the public.

Karl Devlin, 27, of no fixed abode, was charged with burglary other than dwelling, two counts of interfering with a motor vehicle and two counts of possession of a class B drug.

And at Bedlington Magistrates Court this morning (Tues) Devlin pleaded guilty to the charges against him and was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison.

He is one of a number of burglars convicted as part of Operation Sleigh – Northumbria Police’s festive campaign to put burglars behind bars this Christmas.

PC Gareth Welsh said: “We just want to say thank you to residents in Great Park who were vigilant and reported this incident to police.

“We were able to respond quickly and identify a suspect in the area before anything of significant value was stolen.

“As a result of their quick action a burglar is now behind bars for Christmas and he won’t be able to ruin this time of the year for any other members of our local communities.

“It is always really positive when the public can work together with police to help us take opportunist thieves like Karl Devlin off the streets.”