Burglar who hid in loft jailed for four years (From Bucks Free Press)

Burglar who hid in loft jailed for four years

12:53pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

A MAN has been convicted of burglary and jailed for four years after he was caught hiding from police officers in his loft.

Lewis Mahon, 21, had briefly lived with a family in Chesham but moved out of the property last year.

Police said he returned to their Asheridge home on the night of July 28 this year and stole three chainsaws, alcohol, audio speakers and a cheque book.

The family suspected Mahon was responsible and contacted the police, who said they carried out forensic work at the scene and found his fingerprints.

Mahon was arrested at his home on September 14 after trying to hide behind a water tank in the attic, officers said.

He was found by PC Elliot Thomas, who said he and his colleagues initially found no trace of Mahon, despite a backdoor being open.

The officers went to check another premise before returning to Mahon’s house, where they noticed some items had been moved.

PC Thomas told the Bucks Free Press: "This time we definitely thought he was there so we had a search around.

"I went up into the loft and he was crouched behind a water tank at the back."

Police said Mahon, of Hilltop in Redbourn, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, and was sentenced to four years in prison.

PC Mark Turner, the joint investigating officer, said: "Mahon deliberately targeted the house where he had previously stayed with the occupants, and entered while the residents were asleep to steal property.

"I am pleased with the sentence handed out to him today and I trust it shows that burglary is treated seriously by the police and the courts."

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