A PROLIFIC burglar has been caught with dozens of stolen items in his flat from a string of thefts.

Terry Hughes, 46, of York Road in Hove, stole electrical items, make-up and bags from a home in Brunswick Road, Hove, in October last year. 

A quick-thinking member of the public filmed him as he left the flat carrying several large bags and acting suspiciously. 

Hughes was arrested on October 27, 2021 after being identified from the footage by officers. 

The Argus: Terry HughesTerry Hughes

When police visited his home in York Road to arrest him they found a large amount of stolen property that was linked to four other burglaries around Brighton and Hove that month. 

In one instance, Hughes was captured on a shop’s CCTV using bank cards stolen in one of the burglaries.

He was charged with five counts of burglary and one count of fraud by false representation.

Detective Chief Inspector Cath O'Connor said: “Terry Hughes is an experienced criminal, with 29 previous convictions for dozens of offences – the vast majority of which related to theft and fraud.

“In several of these cases, his victims were unaware they had been burgled until some after arriving home.

“This investigation was a fine example of quick-thinking from a member of the public who filmed Hughes acting suspiciously, shared that evidence with the police and allowed officers to use their local knowledge to identify him and make an arrest.

“We understand the impact burglary has on victims, it absolutely will not be tolerated in Brighton and Hove and we are pleased to have a prolific criminal behind bars.”

Hughes was sentenced to 66 months, or five and a half years, in prison at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, March 31.