A PROLIFIC burglar who targeted five homes in a 24-hour period has been jailed for six years.
Adam Prendergast was already serving a prison sentence for previous burglaries when he was found to be behind a spate of break-ins from March this year.
The 33-year-old would lurk in a black BMW waiting for elderly people to leave their homes before smashing through a window or glass door to steal valuables.
His burgling spree happened on March 29 at two homes in Hailsham, as well as properties in Pevensey Bay, East Grinstead and Reigate, Surrey.
An investigation discovered a black BMW with false number plates was present at one of the scenes.
Doorbell footage also showed a break-in taking place, with a man later identified as Prendergast smashing through a window and entering the property.
The BMW was traced using police cameras across both counties and tracked moving between all of the burgled homes.
It was subsequently discovered Prendergast had used four different false registration plates on the same vehicle, including for burglaries on March 30 in West Mercia, for which he is awaiting sentence.
After being identified as the perpetrator of the Surrey and Sussex burglaries, Prendergast was charged with five counts of burglary and one count of fraudulently using a registration plate.
Prendergast, of no fixed abode, subsequently pleaded guilty.
He appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday, August 30, and was jailed for six years.
PC Ciaran Gaymer said: “Adam Prendergast was a prolific, committed burglar who has targeted innocent and vulnerable people across the South East.
“Burglary is a hugely invasive crime that causes emotional and financial harm to victims, whose personal spaces are violated and sentimental and valuable possessions taken.
“This was a complex investigation in partnership with our colleagues in Surrey Police that has brought a serial offender to justice.
“As a police force, we will continue to take any reports of burglary extremely seriously. Please report any incidents to police online, via 101 or by calling 999 in an emergency.”
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