Violent burglar posed as a Sutton Coldfield police officer

A violent burglar who pretended to be a police officer to trick his way into people’s homes has been jailed for 14 years.

Richard Cartwright also threatened a shop worker with a gun as he stole cash and cigarettes during his crimewave last August and September.

Police identified Cartwright as the prime suspect and issued a wanted appeal to trace him. The force received lots of useful information and it was through this they managed to detain him within days.

Police were then able to prove he was responsible for burglary and robbery near Reddicap Heath Road, Sutton Coldfield, last August after knocking at doors and claiming he was a police officer who needed to search the properties.

He escaped with thousands of pounds after conning his way into the address of a couple aged in their 70s.

When another resident refused to let Cartwright in he forced his way through and punched the man in his face. He then grabbed the victim, aged in his 60s, by the throat but fled empty-handed.

Just weeks later Cartwright confronted a cashier in Springfield Road and threatened them with a gun before stealing money and cigarettes.

The gun later emerged to be an imitation firearm but the worker would not have known this at the time and it was a very traumatic experience for them, West Midlands Police said.

Cartwright was already awaiting trial after he and an accomplice - Louise Murphy - were involved in a nasty home invasion in Erdington in autumn 2019.

They forced their way into the address and a woman in her 70s was assaulted as sentimental jewellery and cash were taken. The victim continues to suffer from anxiety and trauma almost three years on.

Murphy, aged 40 and of no fixed address, was found guilty of this following the trial and sentenced to seven years on Wednesday (4 May).

Cartwright, aged 38 and also of no fixed address, was convicted of all his offences and jailed for 14 years at Birmingham Crown Court at the same hearing.

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