Man, 27, jailed for spate of burglaries and thefts

A prolific burglar has been jailed for five years for a string of offences, including some in the High Peak.

After an extensive investigation, police linked James Chesterton (pictured), from Rotherham, to 21 crimes, including burglaries in Glossop, New Mills, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Buxton. 

Along with a number of accomplices, he targeted shops, garages and care homes in the early part of 2019. 

On 18 April 2019, there was an attempted burglary of the Co-op store in New Mills, where police saw a Mercedes AMG fleeing the scene and chased it. 

Officers on the ground lost the vehicle as it headed towards Buxton but a police helicopter tracked the car to the Hope Cement Works, off Pindale Road, where the driver had dumped it and attempted to hide in one of the buildings - unaware that his every move was being watched. When officers arrived, Chesterton was found hiding in a shower block. 

He was later charged and remanded in prison. 

The 27-year-old eventually admitted his part in 12 crimes - three thefts from motor vehicles, six burglaries and three attempted burglaries with intent - in Derbyshire, as well as further offences in Manchester. 

His five-year prison sentence was confirmed at Minshull Street Crown Court. 

PC Sherry Kenyon, who led the investigation into Chesterton's crimes in Derbyshire, said: "James Chesterton’s offending was quite staggering. Over a period of months he, along with a number of accomplices, carried out burglaries in Matlock, Chapel en le Frith, Ashbourne, New Mills, Buxton, Darley Dale and Glossop.

"On the morning of 19 April his offending came to an end when, despite his best efforts to avoid being apprehended, he was caught and brought to justice." 

One of the thefts took place at Toton Sidings, where Chesterton stole a number of tools from a Network Rail site.

Steve Hughes, Programme Director for Network Rail, said: “Equipment worth £1,700 was stolen from the site, which impacted on the progress of work that our engineers were carrying out.

"Trespassing on the railway is always dangerous and illegal, and it can lead to fatal or life changing consequences. Theft and vandalism also causes disruption to services and delays for passengers.

"We would like to thank Derbyshire Constabulary for their hard work, which led to a successful prosecution, as well as our equipment being returned. We hope this deters others from trespassing on the railway." 

In the video above, watch how police caught up with Chesterton following an attempted burglary in New Mills.