A 'prolific' house burglar from Harlesden caught following a surveillance operation has been jailed for four years.
Jefferson Joseph, 43, of Burns Road, Harlesden was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on Tuesday, October 6 after pleading guilty the same day to four counts of residential burglary in Brent and Westminster boroughs and two counts of handling stolen goods.
According to Met Police, the offences took place between February and May, with the majority of the crimes committed against Brent residents.
A Met Police spokesman said: “Joseph was subject to a covert operation conducted by Brent Crime Squad.
“Evidence revealed that he was heavily using class A drugs and was funding his habit by breaking into peoples' homes.”
Police arrested Joseph in a car outside his house on Friday, May 22.
Several items of stolen property were recovered from within his home address and the car he was travelling in.
Police say it was clear that Joseph was on his way out or had just returned from committing a burglary in Brent
Joseph was charged on Tuesday, June 23 and pleaded guilty at court.
Detective Sergeant Dave Abbott said: "Jefferson Joseph is a career burglar with numerous previous convictions for burglary. He commits burglary offences to feed his drug habit.
“The offence of burglary has a painful and long lasting effect on its victims.
“Local residents can be assured that Brent Crime Squad will put the fear in to burglary offenders operating on this borough by maintaining surveillance on them and arresting them when they least expect it.”
