‘Careless’ burglar jailed after leaving DNA at 31 homes

A “prolific” but “careless” burglar who targeted 31 homes across London, Kent and Essex has today been sentenced to eight years in jail after leaving DNA at every single scene.

Unemployed Constantin-Tiberiu Gheorge, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to 31 residential burgulary offences at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday after being arrested in Barking town centre on April 15.

One of the homes burgled was in Lakeside, Rainham, on Valentine’s Day (Feb 14), though most of his crimes took place in Enfield and Barking and Dagehnham.

A single DNA profile, usually blood, but sometimes fingerprints, appeared at every scene, though police could not identify Gheorge because he did not appear on their database.

Det Serg Brett Hagen, from the North East Detections Team, said: “Gheorge has to be one of the most prolific and yet one of the most careless burglars I have encountered.

“He has committed numerous offences across London, Kent and Essex with a blatant disregard for the victims and police alike.

“It is worth considering that for every one of these offences there was at least one victim who had to deal with the effects of becoming a victim of crime and where burglary is concerned the lasting effects run far deeper than a loss of property.”

The linked series was given to the North East Detection Team where specialist officers reviewed cases and Gheorge was identified as a suspect.

Following his arrest, his profile was found to be a match for the DNA left at many more burglary scenes across the south East - his fingerprints alone linking him to an additional 10 crimes.

Det Ch Insp Phil Langworthy added: “These charges are the result of excellent work by the North East Detections Team officers and forensic manager Charlotte Roper who coordinated the gathering and presentation of the forensic evidence.

“This case highlights the benefits of this team’s approach to dealing with linked series of unidentified offences.”