Fingerprints recovered from a crime scene have resulted in a serial burglar being jailed

A serial burglar has been jailed for 12 years after detectives identified him through fingerprints left on a box of alcohol he discarded while fleeing a scene.

Paul Debenham, 40 (24.07.83) of no fixed address was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court on Monday, 29 April for a linked series of aggravated burglaries in the Orpington area.

Debenham targeted the elderly - on two occasions he broke into homes whiles the residents were inside.

The first time, on Tuesday, 31 October 2023, Debenham forced his way into a house in Spur Road, wielding a handgun at the occupant, a 78-year-old man, and pushed a 76-year-old woman to the floor before stealing their car.

He fled the scene in the stolen car, and a few days later offended again. On Thursday, 2 November 2023, Debenham used a brick to smash a glass panel in the back door of a 96-year-old woman’s property on Blenheim Road, Orpington. Debenham rushed in and started to threaten the woman with a hammer, demanding she hand over car keys and jewellery.

While inside, Debenham was caught on an internal CCTV camera.

The footage clearly showed him rummaging around the property – evidence which was crucial to the police investigation.

Investigating officer PC Rob Melton from the burglary investigation team at Bromley Police Station said: “Debenham was a ruthless criminal who committed crime to fund his lifestyle. He showed no remorse for the long lasting impact these offences would have on his victims.

“Debenham's arrest and the substantial evidence against him was the was the result of a combined effort by a number of local police units. He will now serve a substantial sentence which will protect the public from his despicable crimes.”

Alongside the two aggravated burglaries, Debenham was also charged with four commercial burglaries, seven residential burglaries, theft of a motor vehicle and vehicle interference.

With a total of 15 offences linked to him, Debenham was identified through extensive CCTV enquiries after footage was obtained from a number of residential and retail properties. He left a box containing a bottle of alcohol at the scene on Spur Road, from which his fingerprints were recovered.