A 24-year-old man from Sydenham has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after DNA evidence connected him to a burglary in Barrington, near Cambridge.
Nicu Bontea, of Sydenham Road, broke into a home in November last year while the owners were away. Wearing a black balaclava, Bontea ransacked the property, taking items including distinctive rings, sentimental jewellery, watches, binoculars, a camera, and a special forces scorpion knife. He also stole spare car keys.
The burglary was solved after forensic experts confirmed that DNA found at the scene was “one billion times more likely” to belong to Bontea than anyone else. Initially, Bontea denied being involved in the burglary, claiming he had never been to Cambridgeshire. However, he later admitted to the crime and pleaded guilty.
On November 21, Bontea was sentenced to 15 months in prison. Detective Constable Zoe Bramley commented on the case, saying, “This burglary caused significant emotional and financial loss to the victims, particularly as the jewellery was of high sentimental value and was never recovered.”
She added, “The DNA evidence left at the scene was crucial in proving that Bontea was the perpetrator. This forensics not only helped us make the arrest but also gave the victims a sense of justice. Although the stolen items have not been returned, I hope this sentence provides them with some closure.”
Bramley emphasized that burglary is far from a victimless crime, explaining, “It’s an invasion of a person’s home and personal space, and it can have long-lasting effects on the victims’ mental and emotional well-being.”
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