Prolific burglar Darren Broome, who stole from homes and vehicles across Norfolk and Suffolk, including Gorleston, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, jailed
A prolific burglar who targeted homes and vehicles across Norfolk and Suffolk has been jailed.
Darren Broome, 46 of no fixed abode but from Great Yarmouth, appeared before Norwich Crown Court today for sentencing, having been found guilty of one count of burglary, one count of attempted burglary and one count of fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing.
After police investigations, Broome asked for 32 other offences, which took place between February 2018 and August 2023, to also be taken into consideration.
The first charge related to an incident in South Road, in Gorleston, on September 1, where Broome was caught with a ladder outside a home, but fled after being disturbed.
The second saw him break into a home in Gordon Road, also in the town, on September 12, and steal a purse, a Nintendo Switch and two pairs of jogging bottoms once the owner left the house.
The purse contained a bank card, which he later used to get cashback and to buy tobacco in two stores in St Peter’s Road, the court was told.
He was identified on CCTV at both shops.
Broome was arrested in Deneside, Great Yarmouth, on September 14, and remanded by magistrates the day after.
While in custody, he was approached by teams from the Norfolk and Suffolk Operation Converter Units who worked with him to identify four other incidents he was involved in.
These included one burglary and thefts from 11 vehicles in Lowestoft.
In addition, he burgled 14 home burglaries and one shed, stole from a motor vehicle, took two cars without the owner’s consent and stole two pedal bikes, all of which were reported across Gorleston and Great Yarmouth.
The court was told that Broome would enter homes day or night while occupants slept and would take a variety of items that were close to hand, including a games console, jewellery, keys, a laptop, handbags and tools.
We would also steal other items such as sunglasses and cash from cars and would often target multiple vehicles on the same street.
Duncan Etchells, staff supervisor of Op Converter Norfolk said: “Broome is a prolific, and often opportunist offender, who stole to fund a drug habit and would have continued to offend had he not been caught.
“Once charged he was persuaded to engage with Operation Converter in both Norfolk and Suffolk who, due to their meticulous and diligent work, were able to detect 32 more crimes which were taken into consideration by the court.
“All the victims will be informed of the outcome, hopefully bringing some peace of mind.
“For Broome it gives him an opportunity to clear his slate and make a fresh start without the shadow of being brought to court for his previous crimes hanging over him."
The judge sentenced Broome to four years in prison.
In addition, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.