Callous burglar jailed for week-long burglary spree
A "callous" and prolific burglar who went on a week-long rampage of break-ins across the Black Country and Birmingham has been jailed for 10 years .
Nicholas Mason committed 22 burglaries, attempted break-ins, thefts and frauds between May 31 and June 8 last year. He was charged with 25 but acquitted of three, including wounding a pensioner with intent.
The 44-year-old from Wolverhampton stole personal possessions, cars and bank cards which he then used to fraudulently buy items from shops.
At the start of the spree, he took an iPad, iPhone and bank cards from a house in Green Drive, Oxley, on May 31, then driving to Asda in Molineux Way and a nearby wine store where he fraudulently paid for purchases using the stolen bank card.
WATCH: More on the investigation
Two days later he stole jewellery worth £1,839 after breaking into a house in Farndale Avenue, Whitmore Reans.
In the early hours of June 8, Mason broke into or attempted to break into several houses in the Yardley area of Birmingham, driving there in a Ford Mondeo he had stolen from Lowe Street, Whitmore Reans, three days earlier.
He later burgled homes in Albany Crescent and Hurstbourne Crescent, East Park, Wolverhampton, Darlaston Road and Nowell Street, Darlaston, and Lime Road, Wednesbury.
He was arrested at the burglary in Hurstbourne Crescent after he was confronted carrying a £1,250 laptop and £200 phone into the back garden by the home owner, who hit him over the heard. As the two men fought on the ground the victim’s daughter called 999.
CCTV footage, witness descriptions and fingerprint and DNA evidence helped police pinpoint the defendant for the other crimes.
Mason defended himself during the nine-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court where he denied all the charges.
Branding him "callous", DC Alan Reeves, of West Midlands Police, said: “Mason’s offending during that week last year was out of control. He has shown no regard for the terror and upset he has caused so many people and in particular his victims.
"There has not been a shred of remorse or acceptance of responsibility for his actions throughout the proceedings.
“During the trial Mason called all of his victims to give evidence. This has been a traumatic and painful time for all of them but they have all shown incredible courage and resolve throughout the process. I hope the outcome at court today offers them some comfort."
