Lingwood man sentenced for burglaries

A man in his 30s from Lingwood has appeared in court after admitting to two burglaries that took place last year.

Richard Patterson, aged 32, of Briar Close, Lingwood, was sentenced at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 5 March 2025, having previously pleaded guilty to the burglaries and asking for three other offences be taken into consideration (TIC’d).

On 29 July 2024, officers were called to Stocks Lane, Blofield following a report of suspicious circumstances. Upon arrival, Patterson was found by officers inside a residential property attempting to steal the hot water tank. He was arrested, questioned and released on bail while the investigation continued. He was later charged with the offence in November 2024.

The second burglary took place in Lingwood on 4 November 2024 when a shed off Chapel Road was broken into and tools were stolen.

Patterson was arrested on 13 November for the offence, having been identified via CCTV images, and was taken to Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre for questioning. He was charged with the burglary and released on bail.

Whilst on bail, Patterson engaged with Operation Converter and investigating officers, and asked for three other offences to be TIC’d by the court at sentencing. 

These three offences included theft of a driving licence and bank card, fraud by false representation when that card was used to make a £35 shop purchase, and a burglary of a crate of toilet paper from a store's yard area. These incidents occurred between September and October 2024.

Patterson has been ordered by the courts to pay £604 in fines, victim surcharges and court fees, to take part in 120 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity.