A burglar who stole £18,000 in heirlooms from a Shoreditch flat to fuel his crack cocaine addiction has been jailed for six years.
John Mallaghan, 43, raided the property in Shoreditch High Street weeks before Christmas, stealing diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, watches and cash.
Police traced him through DNA found on a drinks carton he dumped in the flat, but weren’t able to catch him until February because he was homeless. He was jailed for six years and three months at Wood Green Crown Court yesterday.
None of the items have been recovered and police have released pictures of the distinctive items in the hope of tracking them down.
Det Insp Paul Ridley said: “The victims have been left devastated. This case is made even more poignant by the fact the victim’s mother, who cherished the sentimental gold watch, died only weeks ago.”
Contact Hackney CID on 101, or by tweeting @MetCC.
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