Two men jailed for Gosport burglary series

Two men have been jailed for a series of burglaries in Gosport.

Joshua Stedman, aged 32, and 29-year-old Craig James appeared in Portsmouth Crown Court today (Thursday 23 February).

The pair had previously been charged with burgling an address in Beauchamp Avenue on 31 August 2022, and both admitted this offence when they appeared in court on 13 October 2022, along with four counts of fraud by false representation.

The frauds relate to use of stolen bank cards.

Stedman also pleaded guilty to burgling Hardway Sailing Club on 18 August, and the pair both admitted theft after they stole £174 worth of alcohol from ASDA in Fareham on 30 August 2022.

At the sentencing hearing today, Stedman was also dealt with for a separate series of burglaries he committed in 2021.

In the early hours of the morning on 9 April 2021, Stedman gained entry to a bungalow along The Avenue in Gosport.

That same morning, he also burgled St Mary’s Parish Church Centre along Green Road.

After forcing entry, he conducted an untidy search, damaging a cupboard door in the process, and stole some paperwork.

Three days later, on 12 April, he committed another burglary at the Wilmott Lane Depot.

After unsuccessful attempts to access units at the site, Stedman forced entry to a building on site and stole some hand tools and approximately £200 in cash.

Forensic enquiries and examination of Stedman’s shoes connected him to all three incidents, and he was subsequently charged with three counts of burglary.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on 21 March 2022, Stedman, of no fixed abode, admitted these three burglaries.

At today’s hearing, he was sentenced to 45 months.

James, formerly of Pine Road in Bournemouth, was jailed for 29 months.

Inspector Matt Wake said: “Stedman and James are prolific burglars and thieves who are now behind bars as a result of their crimes.

“This result follows the work of officers from the dedicated Operation Hawk team, who specialise in investigating burglary and targeting perpetrators of this type of offence.

“As a Force, we utilise the skills of experts across various teams to deny habitual criminals the opportunity to offend, but also work with offenders to understand the root of their behaviour and try to rehabilitate them moving forward.

“I hope this result provides some reassurance to the local community, and encourages anyone who is affected by this type of crime to report this to police.

“We are also keen for the public to report any suspicious behaviour or suspicious individuals in their local area to us. The information we get from you helps inform where our police activity should be focused and will assist us in deterring perpetrators from offending in your neighbourhood.”

If you want to report crime or suspicious activity in your neighbourhood, please contact police on 101, or alternatively submit information to us via our website: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/