Two men described by police as “prolific offenders” have been sentenced to custodial terms after a dramatic burglary at a mobile phone shop in Worthing.
The incident occurred late on 6 March this year at the Three store on Montague Street, when Robert Jody May, 51, and Joseph Perry, 42, broke into the premises and stole over £36,000 worth of phones and accessories.
According to court accounts, May drilled a hole through the wall of an adjacent property to gain entry to the stock room, while Perry remained outside acting as a lookout. CCTV footage played a key role in the case: it showed Perry loitering in the town centre, and later showed both men carrying hold-all bags as they entered a taxi.
Following a detailed investigation by Worthing CID, the pair were identified and prosecuted. At Lewes Crown Court, both were found guilty of burglary and each sentenced to three years in prison.
May, of Whiterock Place, Southwick, is said to have an extensive criminal record: more than 50 convictions covering over 200 previous offences, many involving burglary. He is also known to have used up to 25 aliases.
Perry, of Whitebeam Road, Northbrook, Worthing, also has a long history of offending, including 22 convictions for 57 prior offences, 35 of which were theft-related.
Detective Inspector Andrew Ricks of Worthing CID commented on the case:
“Both men went to extensive lengths in order to steal mobile phones and accessories in Worthing. Through a careful and thorough investigation we were able to prove to the jury how they carried out the burglary. We know the impact that burglary has on victims and on businesses, and we were determined to get justice in this case. I am pleased that two prolific offenders are now behind bars serving custodial sentences.”
The sentence marks a significant victory for local law enforcement, demonstrating the effectiveness of CCTV, forensic analysis, and persistent detective work in tackling shop burglaries.
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