A man who burgled a Kendal home while its occupants were away on holiday has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after forensic and digital evidence linked him to the crime.
Sean Devaney, 64, of Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, targeted the property between June 23 and July 3. He forced open a key safe to gain entry, searched rooms and stole jewellery worth around £1,500.
The break-in was discovered when the homeowners returned from holiday and reported the theft. Police said forensic evidence connected Devaney to the Kendal burglary, while digital analysis showed he had travelled into the area on two evenings during the period in which the offence took place.
Sentence at Leeds Crown Court
Devaney was charged and convicted over the Kendal raid. He was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on October 5, with the court also taking into account a second burglary in West Yorkshire committed while he was on bail.
The case means the Kendal victims have received a court outcome after the property was targeted while they were away. The value of the stolen jewellery was put at approximately £1,500.
Police response
Detective Constable Ewan Breeze said burglary could leave victims feeling unsafe in their own homes, particularly when properties were targeted while residents were away.
“Burglary can leave victims feeling unsafe in their own home, particularly when offenders target properties while residents are away. Devaney went to considerable lengths to commit this offence, travelling a significant distance to target the property. “Thanks to forensic evidence and detailed enquiries by officers, we were able to identify him and secure this conviction. I hope this sentence provides the victims with a sense of justice.”
Police said the conviction followed forensic evidence and detailed enquiries, alongside analysis of Devaney’s movements into the Kendal area.