James Perry, a 49-year-old man with no fixed address, has been sentenced to nine months in prison for a string of burglaries and thefts across Somerset. Perry pleaded guilty at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on April 9, and was subsequently jailed at Taunton Crown Court on June 11.
Perry’s criminal activities spanned from January to April, involving multiple break-ins and thefts. On April 7, he entered a property on East Coker Road in Yeovil with the intent to steal. The court also heard about two burglaries at a residence on Sherborne Road on March 18 and 19.
Earlier offenses include breaking into a business on High Street in Chard on January 26 and a residential garage in Touches Meadow between January 22 and 25. On February 2, Perry stole power tools from a business located at Furnham Close. Additionally, on January 27, he took two bottles of alcohol from a Sainsbury’s store on Holyrood Street in Chard.
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Perry received an additional eight-month sentence to run concurrently with the main term.
PC Charlie Sparks, the investigating officer, commented on the broader impact of such crimes: “The effect on victims of dwelling burglaries is significant, not only in terms of financial loss but also the emotional toll, leaving people feeling unsafe in their own homes. Businesses suffer too, often facing financial setbacks they may never fully recover from.”
He added, “We thank the victims for their patience and urge the public to continue reporting incidents. This helps us allocate resources effectively to combat crime. Those committing similar offences can expect custodial sentences.”