Braintree: Burglar jailed for targeting blind victim

A burglar who targeted his blind victim’s home has been jailed after responding officers caught him within two hours of the offence.

The victim was asleep at his address, in Braintree, when he was alerted to the presence of Rory Lockley-Steward, who had climbed inside through a window.

He managed to grab at Lockley-Steward, removing one of his trainers in the process.

The burglar made off with the victim’s mobile phone, a tin containing a three-figure sum of cash and prescription medication.

Officers were called out at around 12.11am on 12 May this year and were swiftly on the scene, recovering Lockley-Steward’s shoe from the address.

They also moved to track the victim’s stolen phone.

Lockley-Steward was traced to Coggeshall Road, Braintree, by 1.25am that same night, where officers caught him hiding behind a vehicle.

He made significant comments to the arresting officers, captured on body worn video, including asking for his shoe back.

Once in custody and inside a holding cell, he spat at the cell door and on the floor.

Lockley-Steward, 24, was charged with and admitted burglary and criminal damage.

Appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday 10 June, he was jailed for 32 months.

'He showed no regard for the harm caused'

Officer in the case Detective Constable Emily Fitzgerald said:

“Burglary is a hugely violating crime and this offender targeted a vulnerable victim.
“We were quick to respond and, across several teams, ensured we built a concrete case against Lockley-Steward.
“This was solid police work from local and community policing officers involved in attending the scene and supporting the victim, through to locating the suspect within a matter of hours.
“He was then interviewed and promptly charged by CID and put before the courts.
“Lockley-Steward showed no regard for the harm his actions caused and instead chose to act in a disgusting way towards officers going about their duty keeping the public safe.”

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