Leicester Teenager admits burgling 278 homes and stealing 60 cars

[davieG]

Merc

A teenager has admitted burgling 278 homes and stealing 60 of his victims' cars in a criminal career which began when he was a child.

Adam Crampton, who turned 19 this month, appeared in court in Leicester yesterday to "clear his slate" by confessing that he began burgling homes at the age of 12.

He revealed the full extent of his criminal history in interviews with police officers at Glen Parva Young Offenders' Institution earlier this year, as he began a four-year sentence for robbery and burglary.

The teenager, of no fixed address, yesterday pleaded guilty to three specimen charges of burglary dating back to 2007. However, he asked for a further 278 burglaries and 60 car thefts to be taken into consideration.

One of his earliest victims, 60-year-old Sylvia Hammond, yesterday spoke of the relief of finally knowing the identity of the intruder.

Crampton crept into Mrs Hammond's home in Oakham in July 2007, and stole a laptop computer, a phone and a digital camera.

Mrs Hammond said: "It did cause great upset at the time. If he is only 19 now he must have been very young then, only a child.

"But it's comforting to know who did it and also that the police have never given up even after all these years.

"You hear that a lot of people in prison go back to their old ways when they are released. I just hope he doesn't, now that he has admitted all of these crimes."

Up to 200 of the break-ins took place in the Hinckley Road area of Leicester.

Inspector Andy Parkes, commander of Hinckley Road police station, said: "Victims want to know that someone has been caught and held responsible for crimes committed against them. This man was very young when he began and has been prolific.

"One of the aims of the criminal justice system is to help people turn their lives around and hopefully this is the beginning of that process for him."

Crampton appeared before Leicester magistrates by video-link from Glen Parva yesterday.

Prosecutor Ian Johnson told the court: "He was sentenced to four years in March this year for offences of robbery and dwelling house burglary.

"He was visited by police officers and he indicated he wanted to clear up all of his outstanding crimes."

Crampton's lawyer, Steve Morris, told the court: "He has volunteered the information to get things cleared up and he wants to do this as soon as possible."

Crampton is due to appear in person at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to be sentenced.

Presumably his parents didn't notice anything, turned a blind eye or shared in the proceeds.

[MooseBreath]

Interesting. If a 14-year-old child can evade capture 278 times, it makes you wonder just how easy it is to get away with burglary, and equally how totally shit the police must be at preventing it. Either way it's a good advert for a life of small time criminal behavior. Seems largely risk free, and I'm sure the rewards can be great. Tempting.

[Captain...]

Interesting. If a 14-year-old child can evade capture 278 times, it makes you wonder just how easy it is to get away with burglary, and equally how totally shit the police must be at preventing it. Either way it's a good advert for a life of small time criminal behavior. Seems largely risk free, and I'm sure the rewards can be great. Tempting.

My parents house was burgled in Jan, I was actually back visiting it the time, I was there when the pcso came round, and the forensics, they talked us through it and really they would have taken 5 minutes to go through the house, and take what the took. Tv, laptop, digital camera, gold jewellery, and the car.

They stole a tool from the neighbours unlocked shed, smashed in the window, got in and were out in less than 10 minutes. No finger prints, some partial foot prints, but really nothing the forensic could use. Very little chance of identifying anyone.

Reading that does make me wonder if it was this kid.

[marty78]

I wonder how this will be compiled in statistics and whether it will be counted as one criminal brought to justice or hundreds of crimes solved. The cynic in me says the latter.

[Captain...]

I wonder how this will be compiled in statistics and whether it will be counted as one criminal brought to justice or hundreds of crimes solved. The cynic in me says the latter.

Well technically 200 odd crimes have been resolved, even if only one person arrested for it.

[Guest Col city fan]

Lob him in jail, throw away the key.

He'll always be a wrong un.

In fact, do the same with the 'parents'

[Dan]

Basically what Col said.

I'm sure no doubt someone will throw in the excuse that he's got "no fixed address", can't stand all this bullshit like "lets arrange more activities to keep kids off the street" etc...

[Captain...]

You are right, there is no way a 19 year old can change, I am exactly the same now as I was 10 years, lets re-write British sentencing law to destroy the life of a 19 year old. That will solve things.

[Guest Col city fan]

You are right, there is no way a 19 year old can change, I am exactly the same now as I was 10 years, lets re-write British sentencing law to destroy the life of a 19 year old. That will solve things.

How many lives has he affected already?

And how many lives could he go on to 'destroy'?

Makes you wonder doesn't it?

'Solving things' must start with better parenting and at a much earlier age.

Weighing everything up, it's far more likely this kid will go on and on and on reoffending, than be rehabilitated. Or so the figures would suggest.

[Captain...]

How many lives has he affected already?

And how many lives could he go on to 'destroy'?

Makes you wonder doesn't it?

'Solving things' must start with better parenting and at a much earlier age.

Weighing everything up, it's far more likely this kid will go on and on and on reoffending, than be rehabilitated. Or so the figures would suggest.

Have you met him?

Or are you just judging him based on his criminal record.

The police said that the person who did over my parents house was most likely part of a gang, it is very possible that he doesn't have any parents or left home early, got taken in by a gang became reliant on them, they looked after him, he burgled for them.

Maybe giving him an education, giving him a chance at an honest life, and a chance he never had, seeing as he started doing this years ago he probably didn't complete his education.

I don't know any of this for sure but I'm not going to start bellyaching about he's a wrong un, lock him up and throw away the key. You are just being a reactionary, I have a lot more faith in human beings in our ability to learn to change and to grow.

[MooseBreath]

He probably didn't even do them, wouldn't be surprised if the police have either bullied him into a false confession or offered him leniency in exchange taking a shit load of cases off of their desks

[Captain...]

He probably didn't even do them, wouldn't be surprised if the police have either bullied him into a false confession or offered him leniency in exchange taking a shit load of cases off of their desks

Or he is taking the rap for crimes committed by fellow gang members having been caught, it is certainly possible.

[21st Century Fox]

Have you met him?

Or are you just judging him based on his criminal record.

The police said that the person who did over my parents house was most likely part of a gang, it is very possible that he doesn't have any parents or left home early, got taken in by a gang became reliant on them, they looked after him, he burgled for them.

Maybe giving him an education, giving him a chance at an honest life, and a chance he never had, seeing as he started doing this years ago he probably didn't complete his education.

I don't know any of this for sure but I'm not going to start bellyaching about he's a wrong un, lock him up and throw away the key. You are just being a reactionary, I have a lot more faith in human beings in our ability to learn to change and to grow.

Connnnnnnnsider yourself....

[Nick]

He probably didn't even do them, wouldn't be surprised if the police have either bullied him into a false confession or offered him leniency in exchange taking a shit load of cases off of their desks

TIC's

[TrentFox]

This debate must have taken place a thousand times on FT, in homes and pubs the length and breadth of the country, so I'm not sure why I'm getting drawn into it ! For me, what he did was wrong. There needs to be a consequence to doing something that society regards as wrong. In this case he gets 4 (2 ?) years. However, of more relevance is what happens during that 2 years. What skills and attributes does he come 'out' with that he hasn't got today ? At a time when we have govt after govt heavily into punishment, not really into re-skilling, I suspect any one of us can guess the answer. Particularly so in today's climate of removing funding for anything that might re-educate the boy. It just beggars belief. He'll have kids soon enough and the cycle will probably start all over again. When do we intend to really do something to help these people break the cycle ? Or the thousands like him who are scraping along - perhaps the right side of the law - but with no real future to excite or inspire themselves in this age of austerity ? Just a desperately sad and wholly predictable tale.

[MooseBreath]

Perhaps he could monetise the newly enlarged capacity of his anal cavity.

[James.]

Maybe the police weren't inept and in reality this chap is just an incredibly talented burglar and car thief. If so then there is probably a world of opportunity for him after he's done his time.

[Guest Col city fan]

Have you met him?

Or are you just judging him based on his criminal record.

The police said that the person who did over my parents house was most likely part of a gang, it is very possible that he doesn't have any parents or left home early, got taken in by a gang became reliant on them, they looked after him, he burgled for them.

Maybe giving him an education, giving him a chance at an honest life, and a chance he never had, seeing as he started doing this years ago he probably didn't complete his education.

I don't know any of this for sure but I'm not going to start bellyaching about he's a wrong un, lock him up and throw away the key. You are just being a reactionary, I have a lot more faith in human beings in our ability to learn to change and to grow.

With a kid who has probably had little education, little proper parenting, mixed within the criminal circle, offended time and time again im afraid I don't...

With most people I do have faith in the ability to change. For some I don't.

[Nick]

With a kid who has probably had little education, little proper parenting, mixed within the criminal circle, offended time and time again im afraid I don't...

With most people I do have faith in the ability to change. For some I don't.

And you work in the business of behavioural change?

[kyleolly]

I don't think he worked alone considering he stole 2 cars from a friend of mine scumbag

[Guest MattP]

Interesting. If a 14-year-old child can evade capture 278 times, it makes you wonder just how easy it is to get away with burglary, and equally how totally shit the police must be at preventing it. Either way it's a good advert for a life of small time criminal behavior. Seems largely risk free, and I'm sure the rewards can be great. Tempting.

Does show the Police force up to be pretty sub-standard doesn't it.

Couple of the lads I used to go footy with were in and out of Parva a few times, can't see him doing him much good if they are anything to go by.

[Guest]

Sterilisation?

[Captain...]

With a kid who has probably had little education, little proper parenting, mixed within the criminal circle, offended time and time again im afraid I don't...

With most people I do have faith in the ability to change. For some I don't.

I don't understand your attitude in this case, surely those that have had no education and no supportive home life and got trapped in a life of crime are the ones that can change. Some people have a pathological need to commit crimes for the thrill, or the lifestyle, I would say these are the ones that would be harder to rehabilitate.

But I still believe that all but the most damaged can be changed, I don't think we do enough to support them, especially providing support before they commit crimes, not waiting until they are convicted criminals.

It is sad to hear you be so dismissive Col.

[Dan]

You are right, there is no way a 19 year old can change, I am exactly the same now as I was 10 years, lets re-write British sentencing law to destroy the life of a 19 year old. That will solve things.

Come off it, that kind of figure shows he's almost addicted to it for fvck sake.

I'd be amazed if he ever changed.

The little cvnt deserves his life destroying, he's been nothing but a negative impact on hundreds.

[ithuriel]

Been burgled once,had two attempted whilst i was in the house and had an attempted mugging.

I have also known a few peeps who do this kind of thing and they really do not give a shit about other poeple, someone gets hurt and its, "so what!? tough luck," so i do not really in any way feel sorry for thieving bastards like this.