South Tyneside burglars tracked down using iPhone app

Two raiders who ransacked a house after smashing their way in through a dog-flap were tracked down by the victim using an iPhone app.
The burglars were found by police using the Find My iPhone app.The burglars were found by police using the Find My iPhone app.
The burglars were found by police using the Find My iPhone app.

Robert Little and Michael Wilson stole thousands of pounds worth of property and carried out an untidy search of the house at Langford Drive, Boldon, after getting into the family's home by using a spade to break through the large dog's door.

Newcastle Crown Court heard when the victim realised his home had been targeted, he used the app "Find My iPhone" to trace his stolen handset - and lead police straight to the burglars.

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Neil Pallister, prosecuting, told the court: "When the householder returned and realised he had been burgled he reported the matter to the police.

"He then used the 'Find My iPhone' app to find out where the stolen phone was located."

The app revealed that the stolen phone was located near to Pelaw Metro Station, the court heard.

Police dispatched to the area found Little, 22, and Wilson, 25, carrying a load of property that had been taken from the house.

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Little, of Clyde Avene, Hebburn, and former Nissan worker Wilson, of Wirralshire, Leam Lane Estate, both admitted burglary.

Mr Recorder Richard Wright QC sentenced them both to eight months behind bars, meaning they will be released almost immediately due to time spent on remand since the raid, which took place last September.

He said: "House burglary is a particularly serious offence.

"Burglary is invading people's homes and stealing their possessions and is a particularly unpleasant and distressing experience for the householders whose homes are violated.

"Think about the effect it would have on your own families if you came home to find your house had been violated in that way."

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Recorder Wright QC accepted that the pair were sorry for their actions, he said.

The victim told police in a statement his young children had been left frightened and in tears when they found out their home had been raided.

The statement added: "I am shocked someone could do this to us."

A lot of the stolen property was returned to the family but over £2,000 worth has never been recovered, the court was told.

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Vic Laffey, mitigating, said: "Their involvement was discovered fairly quickly, purely because of the good fortune of the injured party having the iPhone app. The two defendants were found close to the iPhone itself."