12/05/2010

Prolific Burglar To Serve At Least Five Years

A burglar who had absconded from a secure unit whilst serving a sentence for a previous armed burglary was jailed for a minimum of five years and ten months on Friday 7 May.

Ashley Waterman, 21, was given an Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection for six burglary offences committed while on the run.

He had earlier pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to six burglary offences between 22 December 2008 and 5 January 2009, possession of a stungun, being a prohibited person and absconding from custody.

Detective Inspector Robert Boggon, Territorial Policing Crime Squad (TPCS), said: "This was a fast moving firearms operation to recapture the individual as quickly as possible. It then became apparent that he was linked to a number of serious offences across North West London.

"I take this opportunity to thank our colleagues across the organisation for their assistance. But in particular Detective Sergeant Steve King and Detective Constable Nicola Hawkins from the Territorial Policing Crime Squad who worked tirelessly on piecing together this individuals criminal activities whilst unlawfully at large. This has resulted in an extremely dangerous individual being imprisoned for a substantial period of time."

Waterman was serving a five year sentence for armed robbery where he used a Samurai sword to rob a branch of McDonald's in April 2007. While serving his sentence he was transferred to a West London secure unit for a mental health assessment, from where he absconded on 13 December 2008.

During his time on the run, Waterman committed a number of burglaries where he stole cars, electrical items, jewellery and car keys.

(CD/NS)

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