September 15th, 2010
Burglar caught after leaving mobile phone in victim’s house
Mobile phone
Burglar Anthony Gawthrop made life for police rather easy – he dropped his phone at a house he broke in to, then texted them to get it back.
This criminal could potentially be one of the dumbest ever.
Gawthrop, 24, dropped his phone at a house in Cambridge, United Kingdom where he stole a laptop.
Wondering where it could be, he sent a threatening text message from a pal’s mobile that read: ‘Whoever has got my phone better give it back.’
Unfortunately for him, officers of the law had his handset, which they found at the crime scene. The device contained several photos of Gawthrop, which investigators recognised from his previous three house-breaking convictions.
He later claimed that the phone had been stolen an hour and a half before the burglary and contacted police to give a false alibi. Gawthrop found himself in Cambridge Crown Court, where he told the judge that he’d used the phone to illuminate the house while an accomplice carried out the crime, but prosecutors pointed out that the owners had found the lights on when they returned.
Unsurprisingly, he was found guilty.
Judge Anthony Bate told him to expect a ‘substantial’ prison sentence. Gawthrop has been remanded in custody for his latest offence and will be sentenced on October 6.
Gawthrop’s previous antics include a dramatic escape from the same court in 2005, while on trial for burglary and cocaine dealing.
He sprinted out of the court-room, knocking security staff out of the way as he fled and was eventually found cowering in his mum’s attic, who he said he was desperate to visit.
