Violent burglar who preyed on Birmingham pensioners is jailed

Police say Clinton Copeland didn’t give a damn if they were hurt or if they died
Police found Copeland hiding in a bathroomPolice found Copeland hiding in a bathroom
Police found Copeland hiding in a bathroom

A violent burglar who preyed on pensioners – threatening one with a knife and smashing a picture frame over another’s head – has been jailed for 12 years after a series of break-ins.

Clinton Copeland targeted bungalows and addresses in Birmingham with access ramps or handrails

Copeland targeted elderly and vulnerable people

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During a burglary on the morning of 2 January, an 85-year-old woman was awoken in bed at her Hodge Hill home by Copeland shining a torchlight in her face.

He threatened her with a screwdriver before stealing two purses, cash and two rings. The woman was traumatised and couldn’t speak for several days afterwards.

West Midlands Police officers found the screwdriver discarded in the house and, following forensic analysis, found a DNA hit to Copeland. It proved to be a crucial piece of evidence.

On 29 January, Copeland barged his way inside a woman’s home in Shard End claiming he needed to use a phone charger.

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He shoved the 79-year-old over and tried yanking rings off her fingers.

Copeland locked the front door as he rummaged through the house for valuables allowing the victim, who told detectives she feared for her life, the chance to sneak out through the garage door.

She ran into the street barefoot to raise the alarm before going to hospital suffering high blood pressure and shock.

On 14 February he split an 86-year-old man’s head open by hitting him with a picture frame as he forced entry to his home in Edgbaston.

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The 36-year-old searched through the man’s pockets as he lay injured on the floor and made off with £400 cash having rifled through drawers. The victim was later found to have broken his shoulder.

And three days later he threatened a 77-year-old man with a flick knife having broken into his Edgbaston home.

Copeland – a Class A drug addict of no fixed address – stole engagement and wedding rings belonging to the victim’s late wife, plus a watch collection.

Officers carried out 10 arrest attempts on the hunt for Copeland before tracking him down at an address in Bloxwich, Walsall, on 18 February.

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One of the stolen watches was found at the address plus a ripped gilet that some of the victims described the offender wearing.

He went on to admit five burglaries, one attempted break-in, two robberies and two thefts – but also asked for another 18 burglaries to be taken into consideration by the court.

He was jailed for a total of 12 years at Birmingham Crown Court on 28 October.

Clinton Copeland was jailed for 12 years Clinton Copeland was jailed for 12 years
Clinton Copeland was jailed for 12 years

‘He didn’t give a damn if they were hurt or if they died’

Investigating officer, DC Karen Kirman, described Copeland as one of the most dangerous offenders she’s encountered during her 28-year police career.

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She said: “He used various excuses to try and get into people’s homes, and if he was refused entry he forced his way inside.

“He stole money – some being saved for a funeral – plus sentimental jewellery. Some of the victims are still suffering from the psychological damage caused by Copeland.

“He was horrible in interview, threatened me, and showed no remorse for his victims. He even said he didn’t give a damn if they were hurt or if they died.

“He is one of the worst offenders I’ve ever dealt with and has rightly been classified as a dangerous offender by the courts. That means he’ll be subjected to an extended five-year licence period on his eventual prison release.”

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