A burglar has admitted a spate of break-ins, criminal damage, and thefts across the Norwich area. 

Patryk Jakubowski, 25, of no fixed address, appeared for sentencing at Norwich Crown Court on Monday, February 19, pleading guilty to 16 charges and received an 11-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The charges include three burglaries, two attempted burglaries, two counts of possession of class B amphetamine, one possession of a bladed article, three counts of theft, and five counts of criminal damage.

In an interview after his arrest, Jakubowski said he had broken into homes looking for somewhere safe and warm to sleep and had not intended to steal.

A range of properties were reported to have been damaged in the break-ins and items stolen included two televisions and a DVD player.

READ MORE: Police link burglaries in Rumburgh as cash and stock stolen 

Eastern Daily Press: A man from Norwich appeared before Norwich Crown Court for sentencing on Monday, February 19, after admitting to multiple burglaries across NorfolkA man from Norwich appeared before Norwich Crown Court for sentencing on Monday, February 19, after admitting to multiple burglaries across Norfolk (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Jakubowski was arrested on November 4, 2023,  after a resident reported a disturbance in her home in Reepham Road, Hellesdon, where she witnessed a man leave on an orange pedal bike.

Found by officers after a police search, he was arrested for burglary, possession of a bladed article, possession of a controlled substance, and theft by finding.

Further investigations linked Jakubowski to a number of other burglaries in Norwich between February and April 2023, in three investigations, officers forensically examined items left at the scene and proved a DNA match.

PC Samuel Hales said: “Forensic evidence proved vital in linking Jakubowski to other crimes and securing a conviction in court, and we hope this sentence gives some comfort to his victims.”

READ MORE: Norfolk man pleads guilty to hoarding rare bird eggs

Eastern Daily Press: Police forensic investigations linked Mr Jakubowski to a number of other burglaries in Norwich between February and April 2023Police forensic investigations linked Mr Jakubowski to a number of other burglaries in Norwich between February and April 2023 (Image: Jamie Honeywood)

Jakubowski was also identified by CCTV, after ripping a security light off a wall in Bates Green and stealing a ring doorbell from Henderson Road in November 2023.