Dentist note nabs burglar

20 November 2009

A BURGLAR was jailed for stealing jewellery from four homes after a piece of paper detailing an appointment with his dentist led police straight to him.

Alan Coveley, 48, of Athelstane Grove, Bow, dropped the piece of paper on the drive of a home he burgled in Harold Wood on July 16 which led to his arrest the following month.

He was successfully picked out in an ID parade as the suspect in a burglary in Harold Wood on June 22 and was subsequently charged for both offences.

On both occasions Coveley broke in through the front door and stole jewellery.

The witness who identified Coveley found his front door open and a glass panel broken. He called out to his wife and was answered by a male voice. The burglar came down the stairs with his hands behind his back and ran out into the street with jewellery he'd stolen.

Coveley was remanded in custody by Havering Magistrates' Court on August 7.

While in prison awaiting trial police used DNA to place Coveley at the scene of two other burglaries in Upminster, on July 7 and 21.

Coveley pleaded guilty to all four and was sentenced to four years in prison at Basildon Crown Court last week.

None of the stolen goods have been recovered.

Detective Sergeant Sean Treweek said: "Burglary can have a devastating effect on victims. I am grateful to the witnesses in this case who helped us bring about a successful prosecution.