Prison for burglar who caused £5,000's worth of damage

A burglar who caused £5,000's worth of damage while breaking into someone's home has been sent to prison.

Robert O’Brien, aged 38, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to burglary and aggravated vehicle taking and damage worth £5,000 at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday (September 10).

O’Brien was sentenced to one year and six months in prison and will be disqualified from driving for 19 months after his release.

On the evening of February 28, 2024, O’Brien broke into a home on Brammas Close and stole the keys to a Kia Niro, which he took from the property.

The stolen vehicle was recovered at Cobham Services on the M25, and O’Brien was arrested on April 23, 2024 following dash-cam footage and forensic evidence linking him to the offence.

O’Brien was charged on February 21, 2025 and convicted on August 19, 2025.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Sasha Lakovic said: “This was an invasive crime that not only disrupted the victim’s livelihood, it also caused considerable financial harm.

“We were able to identify and bring the offender to justice, and we hope this sentence sends a clear message that such offences will be investigated robustly and prosecuted accordingly.

“If you have any information about burglaries in your community, you can report this confidentially by calling us on 101, or via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”