Teenager jailed for crime spree

Mar 5 2010 by David Irwin

A TEENAGE burglar, who targeted homes, shops and vehicles across north Solihull, has been given a three-and-a-half year prison sentence.

Michael Costello, 18, of Avoncroft House, Chelmsley Wood, started the crime spree when he was still just 14-years-old.

Last month, Warwick Crown Court heard how he had targeted properties since October 2005.

But on February 4 this year, he was caught by police officers breaking into homes in Lock Meadow Drive and Winchester Drive - just a stone’s throw from his own home.

Following his arrest, the burglary team carried out a thorough investigation - linking him to many other offences.

In court, Costello admitted six counts of burglary, but asked for a further 23 to be taken into consideration.

He also admitted two vehicle offences, as well as stealing lead from the roof of Colbrook Community Centre, in Chelmsley Wood. Again, he asked for a further 10 lead thefts and five motor theft offences to be noted by the judge.

Sgt Andrew O’Keeffe, from the burglary team, said: “We estimate the total value of all property he stole to be around £18,000.

“Costello was a high priority target, someone that several residents in north Solihull had the misfortune to encounter – it’ll come as welcome relief for them to know he’s behind bars.”

He added that the teenager’s offences were largely indiscriminate - as well as homes and businesses, he had also targeted sheds and out houses.