Jail for prolific burglar who targeted hospitality businesses
A prolific burglar is back in prison after neighbourhood officers found crucial evidence that helped secure a string of convictions.
Alan Webster broke into The Barrel Drop, in Hurts Yard
Alan Webster struck at five commercial premises in Nottingham city centre during the early hours on separate mornings, including a restaurant, two pubs, a coffee shop and a beauty salon.
Nottingham Crown Court heard the three-week crime spree began on 27 October, when the 40-year-old gained access to The Barrel Drop, in Hurts Yard, by kicking through a door panel and causing £400 worth of damage. He then climbed into the pub and stole a bottle of port worth £15.
On 2 November, he smashed a window at Eyebrow Gallery, in Trinity Square, and stole £50 from the till. The court heard this burglary caused over £500 worth of damage.
He struck at Le Bistro Pierre, in Milton Street, on 7 November – stealing approximately £30 from a till and a large quantity of alcohol, having again smashed a window to gain entry and causing over £700 worth of damage, including breaking a lock to the manager’s office and damaging the CCTV system.
The next burglary took place at the Horn in the Hand pub in Goldsmith Street on 10 November. Webster smashed a window and cut CCTV cables, before fleeing with £700 in cash, a quantity of alcohol and a Sky television box.
Four days later, he burgled 200 Degrees coffee shop in Flying Horse Walk. On this occasion, he kicked through a fire exit door and damaged an alarm system. It is not clear whether anything was stolen but the incident left the business with a costly repair bill.
Elsewhere, the court heard he also broke into Subway, in Corn Market, Derby, on 14 August and stole a till drawer containing approximately £100 in cash.
Webster – who was previously jailed in 2022 for burgling a string of businesses in Derby city centre – was arrested after patrolling officers spotted him in Nottingham city centre on 26 November.
He was already the prime suspect in the spate of commercial burglaries after he was recognised on CCTV footage, but vital evidence was secured when the arresting officers seizing clothing that matched that seen in CCTV footage of one of the burglaries.
Further damning evidence was secured when examinations on blood found at the scene of The Barrel Drop burglary matched Webster’s DNA.
Webster, of Cobden Street, Derby, went on to plead guilty to all six burglaries, as well as theft after he admitted stealing sentimental jewellery from his mother to help fund his drug addiction.
He appeared at Nottingham Crown Court via video link on Friday (14 March) and was jailed for three years.
Following the sentencing, Sergeant Chris Johnson, of the City Centre neighbourhood policing team, said: “This result only goes to prove that if you commit this type of crime you will be caught and convicted.
“I hope this sentence will provide closure to the businesses affected by the crimes committed by Webster who will now be spending a significant amount of time behind bars.
“We are absolutely committed as a force to doing whatever we can to eradicate retail crime as we know the impact it has on businesses and their employees.”
