Burglar who targeted 'vulnerable victims' in Portsmouth is jailed for 10 years

A BURGLAR who ‘targeted vulnerable victims’ in Portsmouth and Southampton has been sentenced to 10 years in jail.

By Neil Fatkin

Published 26th Aug 2020, 21:41 BST

Updated 27th Aug 2020, 16:41 BST

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Southampton Crown Court heard how Christopher Scott Bryan, 45, had targeted two extremely vulnerable people during residential burglaries, which was reflected in the sentence passed down by the judge.

Bryan, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of four counts of burglary, three counts of fraud, one count of theft and one count of attempted robbery.

Crimes confirmed by Hampshire Police included the theft of two pearl necklaces valued between £300 and £400 from a property in Southampton, the theft of a pedal bike from a property in Winchester and entering a property on Highland Road in Southsea.

Christopher Bryan, 45, was sentenced to 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to a range of offences including burglary, robbery and fraud Picture: Hampshire Constabulary

Christopher Bryan, 45, was sentenced to 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to a range of offences including burglary, robbery and fraud Picture: Hampshire Constabulary

He also tried to use various victim’s bank cards to purchase goods.

Bryan pleaded guilty to the offences, all of which occurred between January 2 and April 24 this year.

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Det Sgt Simon Price, who led the investigation, said: ‘With the support of our Op Hawk team, an offender who acted in a cowardly manner by targeting vulnerable victims, has been punished at court and handed a substantial custodial sentence.

‘We are pleased to see that he has been given a lengthy sentence which reflects the severity of his crimes, including the two residential burglaries of vulnerable people.’

SEE ALSO: Latest update on cases at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court

Det Sgt Price added: ‘This sentence has not only safeguarded the victims of his crimes from becoming repeat victims, but also means that local communities as a whole can feel safer going about their day-to-day business.’

Bryan was previously handed a 12-month suspended sentence for burgling Portsmouth Academy for Girls on November 16 last year.He stole a phone, food and multi-tool worth £300 in total.Portsmouth magistrates imposed the suspended sentence in December.

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