Preston burglar and 71-year-old accomplice receive sentences
Ten homes across the city were targeted.
Two men who played a part in a six-week spate of burglaries across Preston, stealing thousands of pounds worth of jewellery have been jailed.
Ten homes across the city were targeted between October and November last year and items of jewellery, including family heirlooms, passed down for generations, were stolen.
Following an investigation by the South Residential Burglary Team, two warrants were conducted in the Ribbleton and Ashton-on-Ribble areas in December 2025 and two men – Ricky Chin and Anthony Powell - were arrested and subsequently charged with conspiring to commit burglary with intent to steal.
Last Thursday, Chin, 51, of Burnslack Road, Ribbleton and Powell, 71, of Condor Road, Ashton-on-Ribble appeared before Preston Crown.
It was evidenced that upon Chin carrying out at least one of the burglaries, he attended the home of Powell and sold the property to him.
Chin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and was sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
Powell pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and was jailed for six months which was suspended for 12 months.
DC Jack Gordon from the South Residential Burglary Team said: “This sentence is a significant result for the victims of these offences.
“Burglary is far more than the theft of property; it can leave people feeling unsafe in their own homes and have a lasting impact on their wellbeing.”
He added: “These men played a key role in a series of burglaries which caused considerable distress to those affected. Thanks to the thorough work of investigators, strong evidence was gathered to identify those responsible and bring them before the courts.
“We hope today's outcome provides victims with a sense of justice and reassurance that offenders who target people's homes will be pursued and held accountable. Through Operation Defender, our force wide response to residential burglary, we remain committed to tackling burglary and protecting our communities from this type of criminality.”