Caretaker Raids Residents' Apartments

A trusted residential caretaker at a landmark development raided unsuspecting residents flats while they were out, helping himself to thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and electrical equipment, a court heard.

Scottish-born Paul Cunningham, 47, even took a £4,000 car from one resident of Downings House,(pictured) a Grade II listed former school building at 21 Southey Road, Wimbledon, drove it to Gatwick Airport and fled to South Africa.

He pleaded guilty to burgling one female resident on or before April 9, stealing a diamond ring, sapphire and diamond ring, gold watch, gold ring, broche and chain, worth £7,200.

He also admitted taking a £1,000 Sony television and surround-sound equipment from another flat and stealing a set of car keys for a Toyota Yaris from a couple who were on holiday.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Cunningham, whose family emmigrated to South Africa when he was young, returned to the UK in 2007 and got the caretaker’s job on June 1, 2008.

The position came with spare sets of keys for all the flats and the first victim suddenly realised jewellery was missing from inside her ground-floor flat despite no evidence of a break-in.

Later that month a letting-agent noticed household electrical equipment was missing from an unoccupied flat and when a couple returned from holiday on April 11 their car was gone.

On each occasion the victims tried to call trusted Cunningham to report the crimes, but there was no response.

On April 12 the defendant sent a text to the couple, informing them their vehicle was parked at Gatwick Airport and it was recovered by Sussex Police.

He sent a follow-up text revealing he was returning to “face the music.”

He also revealed the jewellery had been pawned at a broker’s in Tooting and some of it was returned to the victim.

Cunningham was circulated as wanted on the Police National Computer, but he returned to the UK and handed himself into Wimbledon Police Station on May 8.

The defendant, who claims he has a heroin and sleeping pills addiction, told officers he only received £155 for the jewellery and sold the television for £500.

He was remanded in custody for sentencing on August 12.