‘Double life’: Lincoln second-year jailed for raiding West End homes

An undergraduate at the University of Lincoln has been jailed for 14 months following the discovery of his double life as a prolific house burglar.

William Barron, 23, who was studying for an English degree, was a shy and “timid” second year, a court heard.

Over a three-month period he carried out nine raids across the student populated West-End area, with four of his victims confronted in their own homes.

The court heard that he had taken an iPad from next to the sofa on which a girl was sleeping.

Barron’s defence barrister, Michael Cranmer-Brown, said: “This is a very bizarre situation. This is a young man with absolutely no history of offending.

“There does not appear to have been any acquisitive motive behind the offences. He doesn’t sell on the stolen property. It is bizarre behaviour.

“This is a young man who is wracked with guilt. He cannot understand how he behaved in the way he did.

“He finds it unfathomable. He has devastated his parents.

“Clearly [prison] is going to be a very difficult experience for him mixing, no doubt, with the type of people he has never come across before.”

Lincoln Crown Court was told that William was discovered by police in the early hours in a front garden with his loot hidden in a bed sheet.

William had no previous history of offending and no motive behind his offences. The court also heard that William had a drink problem and his burglaries were carried out whilst under the influence.

The undergraduate admitted six charges of house burglary. He asked for five further offences to be taken into consideration, including one house burglary and two attempt house burglaries.

Judge John Pini QC said: “This case is an absolute tragedy for you and your parents. I totally understand how you feel, tortured with guilt at the way you have let them down and let yourself down.”

Students living in the West End area also expressed their concern. Journalism student Katie Anderton said: “It’s scary to think these offences were being carried out where I live. I hope he recovers and learns from these mistakes.”