Burglar targeting Durham students sentenced to 10 years in prison

Barry Lowery targeted an American student’s hall of residence before proceeding to hit student digs on High Wood View in Durham last year.

Among the things that were stolen was the American student’s passport, which meant she couldn’t go home to see her family. Furthermore, Lowery stole thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment from the homes he broke into, which resulted in students losing research they had conducted for their dissertations.

Detective Inspector Aelfwynn Sampson of Durham City CID, said: “Barry Lowery has today been jailed for 10 years for burglaries at two student houses in Durham City and for damaging a third further property between August and November last year where approximately £6000 worth of items were stolen,

“My hope is the significance of this sentence will allow Barry Lowery time to reflect upon his crimes and will also serve as a warning to those involved in this type of criminality.”

Sampson explains: “We do find that students in Durham can be targeted by burglars and Durham Police work closely with the University to offer crime prevention support to students and landlords to deter burglars from travelling to Durham City to commit these type of offences.”

Lowery has now been sentenced to ten years in prison by Durham Crown Court for his offences.