Burglar who rammed two police cars jailed

A burglar who rammed two police cars in Lincolnshire and stole items worth more than £160,000 in several other areas of the country has been jailed for 12 years.

Edward Parker, 33, stole cars, jewellery and designer watches from homes in four counties from August 2018 until January 2019.

He pleaded guilty to burglary, attempted burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving and handling stolen goods.

He also asked for 20 other offences, including 10 burglaries to be taken into consideration. These additional offences took place in Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Northamptonshire and Thames Valley.

The spree began on August 11 when he stole power tools from a property in Church Road, Buckworth. He was disturbed by the owner and dropped some of the items. He left forensic evidence behind.

Three further incidents in Cambridgeshire included an attempted break in at a home in Spaldwick, where he was caught on CCTV. It also included the theft of a vehicle in Old Weston and a burglary in Kimbolton where he stole more than £15,000 of jewellery and Rolex watches.

A pair of binoculars were in the vehicle stolen in Old Weston, which had been given to the victim’s late father for 25 years of service with Esso. Parker stole a vehicle in Bramdean, Hampshire, and was later involved in a collision where another motorist was injured.

Parker drove dangerously in a stolen Skoda in Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth in Lincolnshire in a separate incident on December 17. He rammed two police cars in an attempt to get away.

On January 7, 2019 officers discovered stolen items linked to Buckinghamshire in Parker’s property in Kirkmeadowm, Peterborough. This included a designer Omega watch and number plates.

When Parker was sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday, May 31, Judge Pini QC described him as a “crime wave”, commended the investigation team and described the victim impact statements as intensely moving.

DC Andy Macdonald said: “Parker is a career burglar who has caused untold misery, hurt and pain to many victims across several counties.

“I would like to thank the victims for their time and strength in completing impact statements, which were heard in court to provide some insight into how Parker has affected their lives. I’m pleased the sentence handed out at court reflects this impact.”