A burglar who broke into a Wiltshire home was arrested while allegedly trying to flee the UK by plane.

Leonardo Velasquez-Valencia, of no fixed address, was denied entry to Canada and detained at Heathrow Airport after reportedly trying to evade capture by police.

He pleaded guilty to 10 burglaries, which took place in seven counties including Wiltshire, Kent, Essex, London, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire.

On Thursday, October 31, the 37-year-old was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison at Maidstone Crown Court.

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Velasquez-Valencia’s arrest came after an investigation by Kent Police, following a burglary at a Sevenoaks home.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Joshua Littley, said: “Velasquez-Valencia committed a crime spree, for his own financial gain, giving little thought to the impact on his victims. 

“He callously stole heirlooms, sentimental jewellery pieces, and caused substantial damage to a number of properties.

“His actions not only left victims feeling unsafe in their own homes but grieving the loss of items that held considerable meaning for them.

“I hope the offender’s lengthy custodial sentence offers some comfort to those he wronged, and serves as yet another reminder to perpetrators and would-be criminals that crime does not pay.”

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