Dean Whyte, 52, was caught on security footage trying to cover his face with a scarf and a hat but his distinctive features gave him up
A burglar has been jailed after sharp-eyed detectives spotted his unique bushy sideburns and razor-sharp cheekbones on CCTV footage.
Dean Whyte was seen in the video trying to hide his face with a scarf and hat, but his distinctive features gave him away. The 52 year old first broke into a house in Worksop, Notts. , on September 21 last year and tried to break into another house just five days later.
He stole two purses, personal documents and £450 in cash. In the video, he can also be seen wearing a colourful puffer coat and using a stolen bank card.
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The police matched the features to Whyte’s custody image where his unruly sideburns are clearly visible. They also found a backpack and gloves at his home that linked him to the crimes.
On Monday, he admitted to one count of burglary and one of attempted burglary at Nottingham Crown Court. He was cleared of six other offences but was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for his crimes.
Detective Constable Philipp James from Nottinghamshire Police shared: “This case was a timely reminder about the value of domestic security cameras to investigators. By closely analysing the footage recorded we were able to conclusively link Whyte to both offences by the items we sized from him at the time of his address.”
“And if that wasn’t enough, we were even able to use his own sideburns to help convict him of these offences. I am pleased he has now pleaded guilty and hope this sentence offers some comfort to the victims who had their homes and lives violated by a man they had never met.”
