Man jailed in connection with £100k burglary in Bushey

A man has been jailed in connection with a burglary in Bushey, during which £100,000 worth of sentimental jewellery items and cash were stolen.

Jamie Saunders, aged 57, was sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment at St Albans Crown Court on Friday (24 January), after pleading guilty during a previous hearing in December (2024).

On Friday 7 June, 2023 (correct), a first floor flat was broken into by unknown means. One of the occupants returned home that evening to discover a safe containing high value jewellery, watches and cash had been smashed out of the wall and stolen.

Further jewellery items were also taken from a second bedroom.

An investigation was subsequently launched by the Hertsmere Local Crime Unit, with numerous lines of enquiry being carried out.

Saunders, formerly of Overstand Close in Beckenham, was identified as a suspect after forensic DNA was found in the communal hallway of the building. Cell site data also placed his mobile phone in the area at the time of the incident.

He was interviewed by police before being summoned to court to answer a charge of burglary.

During the hearing, Saunders admitted to being at the address, stating he only ever intended to be “the getaway driver”, but had ended up helping to carry the safe.

Detective Constable Jay Jeffrey, from the Hertsmere Local Crime Unit, said: “Understandably, the victims were left distraught by the theft of family heirlooms during the burglary, with the judge placing Saunders in the high harm category due to the psychological injury caused.

“Although nothing can make up for the loss of these items, I hope the fact that Saunders is behind bars brings some small comfort to the victims.

“I also hope this serves as a warning to criminals that we’ll always do everything we can to identify suspects and bring them before the courts.”