Man jailed for burglaries across the county after one thing linked him to them all

A prolific offender has been jailed after his mobile phone linked him to nearly 20 reported burglaries across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and beyond.

Connor Williams was sentenced to 45 months’ imprisonment last Friday (16th May).

Between 14th November 2024 and 29th January this year, a total of 19 burglaries and attempted burglaries were reported to police. In many cases the victims reported that car keys had been stolen or that they believed the suspects had been intending to steal their vehicle but were unsuccessful.

Due to the similar modus operandi on each occasion, police treated the incidents – which happened in Melton Mowbray, Market Harborough, Market Bosworth, Glenfield, Ravenstone, Ibstock, Botcheston, Bushby, Langham and Tilton on the Hill – as being linked to one another.

Wider intelligence shared by neighbouring forces also suggested that the same group were responsible for incidents in Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire – namely Desborough, Daventry, Newark and Grantham.

Connor Williams was last Friday. Photo: Leicestershire Police

An investigation into the incidents began and on 8th January this year, Williams was arrested by police. When his mobile phone was seized and examined, data from it linked him to each of the incidents.

When he appeared at Leicester Crown Court last week, Williams who is 27 years old of HMP Leicester pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to burgle.

Detective Sergeant James Willoughby, the deputy senior investigating officer, said: “In each of these incidents, it became clear that the primary target was high-value or high-powered cars. We later learned they were something that Williams was obsessed with.

“In total, the total loss to their owners came to nearly £120,000.

“But the impact of the offending hasn’t just had a financial impact on the owners of the vehicles. On many occasions, there were young children inside the houses that were burgled and we know this has had a lasting impact on them.

“I hope the public can take some reassurance from the fact Williams has now been brought to justice and is facing the consequence of his offending.”