A burglar stole a laptop, camera and speaker after climbing through an unsecured bedroom window of a student property.
The victims returned to their address, in the Lenton area of Nottingham, on the night of Saturday 17 September to find the back door had been unlocked and their property had been taken.
A suspect was identified, arrested and subsequently charged.
Jahya Williams, aged 35, of no fixed address, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court today (Saturday 24 September 2022) where he pleaded guilty to burglary.
He was remanded in custody and will appear for sentencing in due course.
The sentencing comes as police remind students, particularly those living in the Lenton, Radford and The Arboretum areas, to be vigilant against opportunist burglars including ensuring they check their doors and windows are locked when they go out or go to bed.
Detective Inspector Chris Berryman, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Despite our continuing drive to prevent burglaries and ensure our student communities are a crime-free as possible, we still need students to remain vigilant and make sure they take the necessary steps to protect themselves and avoid becoming victims.
“Student properties can be targeted by burglars due to them being left insecure and also having numerous occupants meaning rich pickings for the burglar.
“We’d urge students to check their door and window locks are working correctly and remember to make sure they keep their doors and windows locked at all times, especially if their rooms are on the ground floor.
“Students living in multi-occupancy properties should work together to ensure they all take responsibility for keeping their home secure.
“Make sure that valuables, including cash, phones or electrical items, are kept out of sight to any passers-by and the keys to your property and vehicles are kept in a safe place out of sight and well away from your letterbox.”
DI Berryman added: “We want the new and existing students of Nottingham to enjoy the new term and everything our city has to offer, not to have it spoilt by falling victim to a burglary.
“We know students who have lost two years of work and their dissertations because their laptops have been stolen. That work is irreplaceable and can jeopardise their university course.
“Some of these properties have ground floor windows which face onto the street. It is an easy access and getaway for burglars if these windows are left open.
“Nottinghamshire Police has two proactive burglary teams which are committed to preventing and reducing this type of crime, as well as supporting victims, and the force will always do everything it can to bring burglars to justice.”
