A 35-year-old plumber has been given a six-month suspended prison sentence for burgling the home of a customer.
Matthew Lockwood, of Horsley Drive, Gorleston, was arrested after £900 in cash was stolen from a house in Hillcrest Road in Beccles on December 5.
The resident had employed 'Matt the Plumber' after spotting an advisement in a newspaper. After accepting the job, Lockwood got to work at her home and was on occasion left on his own.
The resident discovered £900 in cash had been stolen. A forensic examination revealed Lockwood had handled the envelope the stolen cash had been in and was arrested.
Lockwood pleaded guilty at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court to the burglary. He was handed a six month sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. He must pay £910 in compensation to his victim, £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
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