'Brazen' burglar who struck victim is jailed

Joshua Davidson, 32, has been jailed for 20 months

An "extremely brazen" burglar who targeted properties and hit a victim with a flip-flop has been jailed for 20 months.

Joshua Davidson, 32, reached through the window of a ground floor flat in Briar Way, Eastfield, Peterborough, and made off with a vase from the window ledge at about 05:50 BST on 29 May, a court heard.

He was captured on CCTV attempting to conceal the stolen vase under his jacket as he cycled away.

Police say that minutes later, Davidson entered a property in Cavendish Street, Eastfield, and stole various items including a car key, a fob, a wallet containing bank cards and driving licences, as well as two packets of cigarettes.

The victims, two men, confronted Davidson as he tried to steal from their car parked outside, but he made off on foot after striking one of the victims to the face with a flip flop, Cambridgeshire Police said.

They managed to photograph the man responsible, and officers identified Davidson.

Davidson, of Wisbech Road, Thorney, was arrested on 26 June. He was sentenced at Huntingdon Law Courts on Friday after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary dwelling and theft.

Det Con Matt Reed, who investigated, said: "Burglaries are very intrusive and can leave people feeling violated and scared in their own homes.

"Davidson showed no regard for his victims and was extremely brazen.

"We take all burglaries seriously and will do everything we can to put people like Davidson behind bars."