Burglar Barrie King jailed for string of Birmingham break-ins

A burglar who targeted five Birmingham premises in two weeks has been jailed for more than five years.

Barrie King struck three times in one day in Acocks Green on 14 September last year, first breaking in and stealing items from a staff room at a restaurant in Warwick Road and then at 11.40am he stole items from a store opposite.

At both premises he was confronted by staff but he forced his way out, without injuring anyone. Just a matter of hours later the 41-year-old broke into an unoccupied home in nearby Oxford Road where he carried out an untidy search.

Ten days later he stole electronics, cash and jewellery from a flat in Wellersley Gardens and on 27 September he rode away from a burglary in Stratford Road on a bike he’d just taken, before dumping it at a bus stop nearby.

Investigators had circulated King’s image to Birmingham teams and on 29 September a Stechford neighbourhood officer spotted King, gave chase and detained him.

King, of no fixed address, admitted four burglaries, attempted robbery, theft and assault, between 14 September and 27 September last year and on Wednesday (17 May) he was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court for five years and four months.