An audacious burglar, who threatened victims with a knife and carried on raiding one property when warned he was on camera, has been locked-up.
John James Courtney, 44, of Longbridge Road, Dagenham, received four years’ imprisonment for four burglaries carried out between August, 2019 and January this year.
Targeting properties in west and central London, Courtney stole property worth £27,600, including £15,800 worth of items from just one address.
He was identified after his DNA was found at or near all of the scenes.
During one break-in Courtney continued stealing items despite the resident advising him on camera that he was calling the police.
During another incident he threatened occupants with a knife when they interrupted him.
On August 31, last year Courtney struck at an address in Linden Gardens, Paddington.
While the occupant was out, he broke into the property and stole a number of high value items of jewellery, including necklaces, bracelets, rings and a watch.
In addition, he took two laptops and a designer handbag.
The total value of items stolen was £15,800.
A blood smear discovered on the door lock was tested and provided a positive match to Courtney.
On September 30, Courtney was in the process of carrying out a burglary in Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia when he was interrupted by the occupants returning home.
As they made efforts to detain him, Courtney grabbed a knife, lunging at one of the occupants.
A struggle ensued, during which Courtney’s glasses were broken.
Both this and the knife - which he dropped while running from the property - were recovered by officers and proved vital in linking him to the incident.
October 16, the resident of a property in Queens Gardens, Paddington received notification via his mobile phone that a camera inside the property had been activated.
Viewing the live CCTV footage, he saw Courtney in the process of burgling his address.
He communicated through the device to alert Courtney that he was calling police.
Despite this Courtney continued before leaving the address.
However, he left a mobile phone at the scene, which officers were able to link him too forensically.
January 10, Courtney stole a laptop and items of jewellery including a Rolex watch from a residence in Clifton Road, Maida Vale.
A piece of wood left at the scene and used by Courtney to force entry to the address were found.
The total value of items stolen was £11,200.
Though officers from the Central West Burglary Unit were quick to link Courtney to the offences, and despite extensive inquiries to trace him, he remained elusive.
Then on February 11 he was spotted and detained by police.
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