Prolific burglar jailed
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Pictured: Richard Duggan
A man has been jailed for more than three years following a burglary in Swaffham.
Richard Duggan, aged 43 and of Lynn Road, Swaffham appeared at Norwich Crown Court on 12 June 2026 and was sentenced after pleading guilty to burglary. He was also found guilty of three counts of assault of an emergency worker. He has been sentenced to three years and five months in prison and ordered to pay £228 in compensation and costs.
The sentence follows an incident on 4 March 2025 when a man entered a residential property on Shoemakers Lane, Swaffham by smashing a window and internal door before stealing around £300 of jewellery.
CCTV enquiries captured the suspect in the area, around the time of the burglary, and his clothing was matched with that known to have been previously worn by Duggan. He was arrested on 20 March 2025. The clothing worn was found within the property and seized.
Duggan admitted to a second burglary offence and asked it to be taken into consideration at court for sentencing. The incident happened on 8 March 2025 on London Street, Swaffham when charity boxes, two drills, a dog harness and a safe was stolen from a business premises.
As a third striker – someone who has been convicted of burglary on at least three occasions – he was handed a mandatory sentence of at least three years. He was sentenced to three years and five months in prison.
Sgt Dan Shelley said: “This was a deliberate and damaging burglary that targeted both a home and a local business, causing distress and disruption to the victims. Duggan’s actions, including his assaults on emergency workers, show a continued disregard for the law and those working to protect the public.
“The sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of his offending and his status as a repeat burglar. We hope this outcome provides reassurance to the community that offenders of this nature will be held accountable.”