Bury St Edmunds man Anthony Vittles jailed for string of motor vehicle crimes

A 45-year-old man has been jailed for 18 months after being sentenced for a string of motor vehicle crimes.

Anthony Vittles, of Brentgovel Street in Bury St Edmunds, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court today (July 3) after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.

He was initially arrested on April 25, 2019 on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle – a Subaru Legacy from Lakenheath - which had been taken the previous day and subsequently charged.

He then engaged with the Suffolk Police's Operation Converter team and went on to admit a further 10 offences dating back to March 13, 2018.

These included various incidents of thefts from vehicles in the Red Lodge and Lakenheath areas, stealing a variety of items including sunglasses, cash, headphones and a mobile phone.

Another offence was burglary of a building where power tools were stolen in Lakenheath and two incidents of attempted theft from vehicles in Red Lodge.

He has shown remorse and a clear understanding that his actions were wrong with class A drugs appearing to be at the root of his offending - DC Barry Simpson

At Ipswich Crown Court on May 29 he pleaded guilty to these offences and was sentenced to 14 months for breach of a suspended sentence, imposed on February 22 this year, and a four month jail term for aggravated vehicle taking.

He was also banned from driving for 21 months.

DC Barry Simpson, from the Operation Converter team, said: "Vittles has taken responsibility for his offending, behaviour and lifestyle and is keen to make amends.

"He has shown remorse and a clear understanding that his actions were wrong with class A drugs appearing to be at the root of his offending.”

"I’d take this opportunity to remind motorists that valuables left on display in vehicles can also attract attention from thieves.

"Items such as sat navs or even sat nav mounts should be removed from inside vehicles."

Operation Converter is an initiative aimed at encouraging people to admit their crimes, which gives them the chance to clear their slate so they can have a fresh start when they are released from prison, without the possibility they will later be traced for a further offence.