Harlesden drug addict behind 35 house burglaries in Brent is jailed

Jefferson Joseph, 40, carried out a string of break-ins between October 2012 and January this year

A habitual burglar believed to have carried out at least 35 house break-ins in Brent in three months to feed his drug habit has been jailed.

Jefferson Joseph, of Burns Road, Harlesden, is thought to have been behind a string of burglaries between October last year and this January before he was caught during an undercover operation.

Harrow Crown Court heard the 40-year-old was placed under covert surveillance by Brent Police when he was spotted leaving his home and jumping into car in January this year.

The vehicle was stopped and when he was searched a piece of shaped plastic - commonly used to “slip” front door locks was found hidden in a sleeve.

A knife and a pair of gloves were also found in the car and he was arrested for going equipped to commit burglary and residential burglary.

Joseph, who pleaded guilty, asked police for a further 35 offences of residential burglary be taken in to consideration.

He was jailed for four years.

PC Pedro Alonso, investigating said: “Joseph is a career burglar. He has previously served terms of imprisonment for burglary offences and commits burglary offences to feed his drug habit.

“Local residents can be assured that Brent Crime Squad will put the fear in to burglary offenders operating on this borough by maintaining surveillance on them and arresting them when they least expect it.”