Police warning to opportunistic offenders after serial Sunderland burglar jailed for four years

Police warn opportunistic offenders they will be 'brought to justice' after a serial burglar, who tried to cover traces of his own blood with Pepsi, was jailed for more than four years.
William TrotterWilliam Trotter
William Trotter

William Trotter, 37, has been jailed for four years and one month after admitting a number of burglaries and common assault.

Detective Constable Stu Havery, of Northumbria Police, said: “William Trotter went on what can only be described as an inexplicable burglary spree that caused widespread misery to both residents and businesses.

William TrotterWilliam Trotter
William Trotter
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He continually showed a blatant disregard for the law as he broke into both homes and commercial premises across the city to satisfy his own greed.

“Trotter is the latest in a line of serial burglars who’ve been locked up in Sunderland and South Tyneside this year, and I hope his sentence sends out an important message to other opportunistic offenders – you will be caught, and you will be brought to justice.”

Trotter made off with £100, but after realising he had cut himself and left a pool of blood on the floor, he returned to the crime scene and tried to clear up the mess.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After a mediocre attempt to mop up the blood, Trotter, of East Vines, Sunderland, opened a bottle of Pepsi and poured it over the floor in the hope of covering his tracks.

As well as burgling Pizza Hut, the court was told that Trotter raided two homes on River View, Sunderland, in October last year.

After targeting the first property, Trotter, of East Vines, Sunderland, then forced his way into a second home and pocketed jewellery and cash.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But he was caught by police after his DNA was found on a hat which he had inadvertently dropped while making his bid for freedom.

The light-fingered thief also admitted stealing Christmas presents from under the tree at a Sunderland hair salon in December 2018, along with an accomplice.

He then snatched dozens of delicately-wrapped Christmas presents that had been left under the tree for staff and customers, before swiping hair and beauty products from the shelf.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On Wednesday (March 27) at Newcastle Crown Court, Trotter was dealt with for the four burglary offences as well as a charge of common assault.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was jailed for a total of 49 months. He now begins a stretch behind bars.