The most brazen burglar: Crook strolls around victim's home looking at CCTV cameras without a care in the world (before he's jailed for three years)

By Rick Dewsbury
Updated: 04:32 EDT, 16 November 2011

Most burglars try their best to avoid being seen by CCTV.

But dozy crook Martin Gilbert, 45, has been jailed after he spent an hour gazing vacantly into the camera lenses.

The serial thief had been targeting a bungalow for the second time this year when he spotted  recently-installed cameras pointing at the garden, window and paths.

He spent 60 minutes looking at the lenses while trying to find a way into the home before using a screwdriver from the garden shed to prize open a window.

What's that little red light? Dozy crook Martin Gilgert gazes into a CCTV camera while spending 60 minutes burgling a bungalow in Newcastle

Police were able to easily identify Gilbert, a known criminal, because he spent so long looking into the CCTV cameras.

He appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday for sentencing where he was jailed for three and a half years after previously pleading guilty to four charges of burglary, that included raids on other homes.

Gilbert had another 14 burglary offences taken into consideration by the court. He stole £30,000 worth of goods in the crime spree.

The court heard how he burgled 11 homes in Gosforth, four in the Jesmond and Heaton areas and one in Byker, all Newcastle, with two offences taking place at West Moor and Wideopen in North Tyneside.

Gilbert, 45, peers through a window before using a screwdriver stolen from the garden shed to prize open another window and clamber inside the building

During some of the burglaries the residents were inside their homes. But he took jewellery, cash and laptops over a six-month period.

He was caught in September after burgling the bungalow in the Gosforth area owned by Christine Bell and her husband, who are both in their 50s. They had CCTV cameras installed because they had been targeted by Gilbert in March this year.

Gilbert can be seen in the footage taking his time over the raid, spending an hour looking for ways to break into the property before forcing entry into the victim's shed and using their screwdriver to force a window.

Jailed: Gilbert was sentenced to three-and-a-half years behind bars after admitting to 14 burglaries

He even takes socks off their washing line to use as gloves, before climbing through the window and taking a laptop.

Investigating officers recognised Gilbert on the CCTV footage and he was arrested. Gilbert then admitted to carrying out similar burglaries.

Northumbria Police's DC Nick McKenna led the investigation into Gilbert. Following the sentencing, he said: 'The CCTV was key to stopping Gilbert in his tracks. An officer viewed it and recognised him and Gilbert was arrested where he admitted to the 17 other offences.

'Burglary has a devastating impact on homeowners; It's a very personal intrusion into someone's life and property and we're determined to target suspects and take action against those responsible.

'Gilbert had a complete disregard for other people's property. I'm pleased he's been punished for his crimes and I'm satisfied he'll spend time behind bars for  all of the heartache, frustration and anger he has caused his victims.'

Newcastle North Neighbourhood Inspector Julie Rana, who oversees policing in Gosforth, added: 'I hope it's reassuring for the community to see that someone such as Gilbert is behind bars.

'This is one result of many from across the city, and the force, where burglars have been dealt with by the courts for their crimes. Thieves can be sure we'll continue to do all we can to identify them and stop them causing harm in our communities.

'It's a timely reminder for residents to ensure they have the relevant security advice to reduce their risk of falling victim to such a crime. This includes keeping doors and windows locked and ensuring no valuables are left on display or within easy reach, particularly car keys, to keep opportunist thieves at bay.

'It's also important for residents to have a good alarm and security lighting, and to report anything suspicious they see in their neighbourhood to police.'

Jim Hope, prosecuting, explained how in a previous burglary Gilbert broke into the home of Catherine Lorains, stealing jewellery worth more than £15,000.

Mr Hope said: 'When she returned a window had been smashed and a garden fork that had been kept in her shed was found next to the door.'

'The bedroom was in disarray The bedroom drawers had been opened and a substantial amount of jewellery had been taken. She was very upset.'

Then on July 23 Gilbert targeted the home of 89-year-old James Hilton, while he and his wife were dozing in their sun-room.

The thief climbed through the window of the couple's en-suite bathroom, before going into the bedroom and helping himself to cash and jewellery.

Mr Hilton said after the case: 'I was hopping mad. I don't know what would have happened if we had disturbed him. He's only 45 and I'm a lot older.

'I feel sick that someone has entered my home while we were in. He just took whatever he could lay his hands on.'

On August 3, Gilbert broke into the home of former Land Girl Gladys Gradwell, 85, whose husband Peter died in 2000.

The great-grandmother was talking to a neighbour in her garden in Gosforth, Newcastle, when Gilbert struck, taking £1,890 of jewellery and money, including her engagement ring.

She said: "My late husband bought me that ring 64 years ago, and you can't put a price on that.

'The jewellery he has stolen is of a sentimental nature. I can't understand why anyone would steal from an elderly person. This had a profound impact on me.

'My engagement ring was a symbol of happy times. I have worked hard all my life and paid taxes. I wonder how Martin Gilbert would feel if this happened to his family.'