A CAREER criminal who burgled family homes so he could steal cars and other valuable items will be sentenced next month.

Connor Downer, 20, was 18 years old when he broke into two addresses in Granville Road, New Town, in April last year.

On Wednesday the defendant appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court via a video link from HMP Norwich, where he is serving a prison sentence for dangerous driving, robbery, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, and breaching a youth detention order.

Burglary – houses were broken into in Granville Road, New TownBurglary – houses were broken into in Granville Road, New Town (Image: Google Street View)

The court heard how Downer and his accomplice, Bailey Carroll, stole keys to a Ford Fiesta and Toyota RAV4.

Downer had been before Ipswich Crown Court last November for a similar offence he committed the same evening which involved him stealing a Hyundai, but a delay in forensic investigations meant he was not charged with the thefts of Ford and Toyota at the same time.

Grace Court, prosecuting, said one victim of the burglary heard an unusual noise downstairs and then heard the noise of a car engine starting.

When she got up, she saw the headlights of her partner’s Toyota were switched on and the windscreen wipers of her Ford Fiesta were moving.

She then went downstairs and discovered two sets of car keys were missing.

Another victim was also targeted when Downer broke into her address and stole a handbag and purse.

Ms Court continued: “Two vehicles were taken – in one of the incidents subsequently police had stopped a Hyundai vehicle stolen in a different burglary the same night.

“Police stopped Downer and he had keys from other vehicle burglaries that night.”

Downer, of Thomas Benold Walk, Colchester, admitted two counts of burglary and appeared before magistrates on a video link from HMP Norwich.

Hearing – magistrates heard the case of Connor Downer in Chelmsford on WednesdayHearing – magistrates heard the case of Connor Downer in Chelmsford on Wednesday (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest) Roisin Massey, mitigating, said: “He has previously pleaded guilty for his part in this spree and had been sentenced [for the car thefts].

“The delay in forensics is not Downer’s fault.”

Bench chair Lucy Lavender said Downer will be sentenced before Ipswich Crown Court, saying: “This is too serious for us and our sentencing powers are insufficient.”

Downer will be sentenced on Wednesday, December 4.