'Row with girlfriend' led to church burglary (From Sutton Guardian)

Jonathan James Osbourne claims 'row with girlfriend' led to burglary of All Saints Church in Carshalton

7:10am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

A 39-year-old man who broke into a church told police he wanted to give his girlfriend the impression he was walking out on her.

Jonathan James Osbourne, of Leoni Court, Park Lane, Carshalton has been sentenced to 30 days in prison after pleading guilty to burglary.

Residents noticed him loitering near All Saints Church in Carshalton and later trying to force entry. He was arrested shortly after midnight on August 20.

When the police arrived Osbourne initially put his hands in the air but suddenly made off on foot through the graveyard.

As he headed towards the High Street police officers pursued him and found him in possession of a small amount of cannabis resin.

Osbourne told police he had had a row with his girlfriend and wanted to give her the impression that he was walking out. He had left with his bags packed heading for the church where he planned to sleep before returning to his girlfriend the following morning.

Police found that he had tried to break open the solid English Oak rear doors of the church with an iron bar.

He had caused considerable damage to the wood that cannot be replaced as well as smashing a window and kicking an interior door off its hinges.

Osbourne was charged and remanded in custody. He pleaded guilty to burglary and possession of cannabis.

At Croydon Magistrates Court on 28th September, Osbourne was sentenced to 30 days prison - to be taken as time served.

Detective constable, Charlie Lourenco, of Sutton’s Burglary Robbery and Investigation Team, praised the community spirit of the witnesses for alerting the police to Osbourne’s actions and providing information leading to his appearance in court.