Man jailed for Ryde burglary and knife offences

A man has been jailed for a raft of offences in Ryde including burglary and carrying a knife.

In the early hours of 24 September 2023, 43-year-old David Dunford broke into a fabrication plant in Marlborough Road where he stole gloves and a bike.

Later that day, Dunford attended Victoria Arcade after it had closed and burgled three shops within, stealing a cash box and charity box, and a further estimated £4,000 worth of goods including medals, silverware, knives, teddies and figurines.

At 9.46pm that night, police were flagged down by a member of the public who reported that vehicles had been spray painted with graffiti in The Strand.

An officer took a description of the suspect and conducted an area search, before finding Dunford nearby who was carrying a bag.

Dunford refused to stop for the officer and pulled away from him, before he was incapacitated and arrested. Dunford’s bag was searched where officers located a large amount of stolen property.

Police located a Stanley knife on Dunford’s person, along with pliers and gloves. In a separate incident in October, Dunford was again found with a knife in public.

He was subsequently charged with 4 counts of burglary, going equipped for burglary, criminal damage, and two counts of possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Dunford, of Thornton Manor Drive in Ryde, admitted all of the offences in court, and appeared at Newport Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday 9 May this year.

He was jailed for a total of 28 months.

Following the sentencing, Police Staff Investigator Keeley Hayward said: “Dunford’s actions have had a huge impact on the businesses he targeted. During the burglaries, he caused significant damage to the interior of shops, in addition to stealing a large quantity of goods.

“His offending did not stop there, however, as he continued his criminal behaviour into the night, spraying graffiti and actively trying to evade police whilst having a knife in his possession.

“As a result of his behaviour, Dunford will now spend a period of time behind bars, and I hope the community can be reassured that he is now in prison.”