Prolific thief caught red-handed scouting out cars pleads guilty

A Redditch man was remanded to prison at court yesterday (Thursday 3 July) for 19 offences relating to vehicle crime and breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

Jack Albutt, 26, of no fixed abode, was arrested and charged by officers on Tuesday 20 May before being remanded to prison at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday 21 May.

Officers responded to a report of a suspicious man seen looking inside people’s cars in the early hours of the morning of Tuesday 20 May in the Winyates Green area. A foot chase ensued and Albutt was arrested for the spree of crimes he had committed.

He pled guilty at Worcester Crown Court to the following offences: -

Albutt pled not guilty to a further separate charge of aggravated burglary and a trial date was set for Monday 10 November. He will be sentenced for the other offences after the trial.

Police Constable Daniel Freckelton, of Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), said: “We are pleased to get this remand result for Albutt - a prolific thief who targeted vehicles in the Redditch area.

“He not only broke into or attempted to break into cars but also fraudulently used bank cards and membership cards he stole from inside them causing his victims additional financial losses as well as breaching the terms of a CBO designed to prevent him from committing these crimes.

“But he was ultimately caught in the act and officers responded swiftly to make the arrest.

“We hope this will reassure the public we take such acquisitive offences seriously and will always act to bring criminals like Albutt to justice.”