Judge Mocks Burglar Who Left Passport Photo at Crime Scene

A prolific burglar was identified and convicted after leaving a passport photograph of himself at the scene of a break-in at a £4 million property in Belgravia.

Glen Banks, 57, entered the two-bedroom house on Cadogan Lane through a window on 14 February last year. One of the occupants returned home to find a window open and muddy footprints inside the property before hearing suspicious noises.

The homeowner encountered Banks inside the house, but the intruder managed to flee before he could be detained. In his haste to escape, however, Banks left behind a jacket containing personal documents, including a passport photograph.

Forensic testing later linked DNA found on the jacket to Banks.

Southwark Crown Court heard that Banks has an extensive criminal record, including 34 theft offences and 10 previous burglary convictions.

Sentencing him to 28 months in prison, Judge Sally-Ann Hales remarked: "Judging by the number of times you have been caught, you are not very good at it."

Prosecutor Jade Sodipo told the court that the occupant had noticed signs of forced entry and disturbance before discovering Banks inside the property.

The offence was committed just 11 days after Banks had avoided an immediate prison sentence for an earlier burglary at a £12 million property in Rutland Gate, Knightsbridge. In that incident, he stole designer handbags, jewellery, wallets, AirPods and cash.

Judge Hales described it as "disappointing, to say the least" to see Banks back before the court so soon after receiving a suspended sentence.

The court heard that Banks had been placed in a drug rehabilitation programme in Yorkshire following his previous conviction but was removed after only three days because of unacceptable behaviour.

"Within three days of arriving at the treatment centre, you were removed," Judge Hales said. "Within 11 days, you had committed another residential burglary.

"You were identified by items you left close to the scene. It is disappointing, to say the least, that you are back before me so soon after being given a suspended sentence."

While acknowledging Banks' long-term drug addiction and the instability it had caused in his life, Judge Hales concluded that an immediate custodial sentence was unavoidable.

Banks was jailed for 28 months, with a further 12 months activated from his previously suspended sentence, meaning he will serve a total of 40 months in prison.

"I very much hope not to see you again, as it is never in terribly agreeable circumstances," the judge told him.

Banks, who has no fixed address, admitted one count of burglary of a dwelling with intent to steal.

GV Hale