A serial burglar who targeted charity shops and other businesses across Richmond and Barnes has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Richmond Police revealed details of the arrest and prosecution of Ricky Elsworthy, aged 50, on a series of offences, which involved thefts totalling more than £10,000.

The successful prosecution has been welcomed by borough residents, however many were unhappy that the serial thief was given a suspended sentence and therefore allowed to walk away from the court.

Richmond Police said: "Our Burglary Team have been working incredibly hard for our residents and recently arrested Ricky Elsworthy, (13/09/1972) for multiple offences in the Richmond/Barnes area.

"The target of said crimes are often charity shops, leading our team to deal with him on multiple occasions.

"This brought him a charge for four offences, two of burglary, stealing in excess of £10,000, one for criminal damage and lastly possession of drugs, namely amphetamines.

"Even while on court bail, he continued to commit offences.

"Finally though, he was sentenced at Wimbledon Magistrates Court for all the above on May 18, 2023."

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The police added: "The sentencing judge summed up just how serious the crimes were and then sentenced him 11 months for one burglary, 1 month for the second to run concurrently, and discounted the criminal damage and drugs completely.

"At the end of the summing up the sentence was suspended for two years."

Elsworthy was fined £480 to be paid in monthly instalments of £20.

A number of people responded to the police post on Facebook to criticise the sentence as 'lenient', suggesting it must have been 'extremely frustrating' for the officers involved.

One described the sentence as 'awful', another wrote: "Police can only bring him to justice. It's the courts that have screwed up."

A third said: "All that hard work by the Police only to see this habitual burglar given a suspended sentence. I despair at the state of the judiciary system. Not fit for purpose."