Ageing cat burglar has to get police to help him off roof

A red faced burglar had to give himself up with his loot after he climbed on to a roof and could not find a way down.

Winston Allen, 59, spent forty minutes trying to work out an escape route as police shouted at him to give himself up.

He threw part of his haul into a nearby garden but still had a gold chain, silver Rolex watch and earrings on him when he eventually clambered down.

Allen was jailed for two years and four months at Gloucester crown court.

The burglary victim was out of the country at the time but Allen set off a burglar alarm at the address in the Leckhampton, Cheltenham area on 5 November 2024.

An automatic alert was sent to the victim’s phone and Allen was seen carrying a torch and ransacking the house.

The victim called a family member who rang police

Officers went into the house and saw Allen making a hasty retreat out the back door and climb on to the roof of the house next door.

He stayed prowling around for 40 minutes while bemused officers looked on.

Allen admitted burglary when he was arrested and also admitted carrying out another raid on the same night.

Investigating officer PC Sheer from the Cheltenham Vanguard Team said: ‘Being burgled can have a devastating impact on victims leaving them feeling vulnerable in their own homes.

‘It is hoped that Allen’s arrest, charge and sentencing shows how dedicated we are to taking burglars off the streets and helping to ensure the residents of Cheltenham’s homes are safe.’