Smoking Can Seriously Damage Your… er… Liberty

Published on: 2 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 2 Nov, 2024

Paul Harewood

A sneaky cigarette led to the downfall of a burglar who was sentenced on Tuesday (October 29) to more than two years behind bars for burglary, with an additional four months for two counts of fraud after using a stolen bank card.

Paul Harewood, 50, from Guildford, couldn’t resist lighting up before leaving the scene of his crime. DNA on the cigarette butt linked him to the offence.

On June 5 this year, Harewood burgled a student residence while the victims were asleep taking bank cards, tobacco, and aftershave from the address. He used one of the stolen cards at a McDonalds shortly after and tried to use one at TK Maxx the following day but it was declined.

However, while he was at the scene of his crime, Harewood rolled a cigarette using the stolen tobacco and left the butt behind. It was later tested by forensic investigators, who found DNA linking him to the offences.

Following his arrest officers carried out a search of his home and found a distinctive red t-shirt and baseball cap screwed up in a bag in his wardrobe, which matched the clothing seen on CCTV when he used the stolen cards.

At Guildford Crown Court, Harewood pleaded guilty to burglary and fraud and was sentenced to two years four months and 23 days imprisonment for burglary, with an additional four months for fraud to run concurrently.

Investigating Officer Sergeant Sarah Wentworth said: “Harewood entered the homes of young students while they slept, a place where they should feel safe. His own arrogance in lighting a cigarette at the scene sealed his fate and, along with CCTV and other evidence, led to us taking another burglar off the streets.”