Prison sentence for Guildford burglar Mark Leonard

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Mark Chatfield, Guildford burglar

A Guildford man has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of burglary on Friday (8 August) at Guildford Crown Court.

Mark Leonard Chatfield, 38, of Westonfields, Albury, was sentenced following a three-day trial after being charged with a burglary at a house in Guildford in December 2013. He was also order to pay a £120 victim surcharge.

Chatfield broke into the house, which was occupied by a 70-year-old woman, in Worplesdon Road in the early hours on 31 December 2013. As he searched the property, he was confronted by the victim after she heard noises and Chatfield made off without stealing anything.

Following reports of an intruder on the premises which prompted a swift response from neighbourhood officers, response officers, including a Special constable, firearms officers and a dog unit, Chatfield was arrested within 100 metres of the address he had broken into.

Key evidence was provided by the dog unit, which tracked from the point of entry to the address to the location where Chatfield was detained. The dogs also indicated towards wheeled bins where the victim's gardening gloves and tools, which had been used to gain entry, had been dumped.

Detective Constable Jim Hilton, who led the investigation, said: "Chatfield was caught just metres from the scene of his crime thanks to a prompt response by Surrey officers.

"A full and thorough investigation, and the evidence we had after our dogs tracked him from the scene to where he was stopped, has ensured that Chatfield, who the judge described as a "habitual criminal”, has been brought to justice.”

DC Hilton added: "Chatfield was also described by the judge as a danger to the public. His conviction will provide reassurance to the local community."