A prolific burglar, Darren Farrelly, 52, known for targeting homes while residents slept, has been sentenced to eight years in prison, meaning he will spend the next eight Christmases behind bars.

Farrelly was apprehended following a series of investigations into robberies and burglaries across north Manchester. In August 2023, residents on Bury Old Road in Cheetham Hill reported a burglary at around 4am, where two men stole a TV and broke into a flat, stealing handbags and purses.

The crime was captured on doorbell footage. When police arrived, they retrieved the stolen TV from a nearby car park and another handbag found in a corridor.

Approximately 30 minutes later, police received another call from Catherine Road. A victim reported being woken by a man searching through his drawers. The suspect fled the property but attempted to steal the victim's vehicle before running toward Middleton Road.

Officers conducted a search of the area and found Farrelly on Melton Road, matching the given description. He was seen attempting to break into a third property through a ground floor window, wearing a balaclava and gloves. He attempted to escape by jumping over a garden fence but was arrested.

While on bail, Farrelly committed another burglary. In October 2024, a witness spotted him climbing into a neighbour's upstairs bedroom window on Haley Street in Manchester. The neighbour was alerted and called 999, fearing for their family's safety.

Farrelly stole £500 from the bedroom, and when trying to escape through an alleyway, he was detained by the witness. In an attempt to flee, he bit the witness and claimed to possess a knife.

He was arrested and charged with four burglaries, ultimately pleading guilty to all charges. On December 20, he was sentenced to eight years in prison at Manchester Crown Court.

PC Samantha Birkett from the Neighbourhood Crime Team stated, “It is clear that Farrelly presented a danger to local communities, showing complete disregard for people's safety in their homes.”

She emphasized the importance of community vigilance during the festive season and encouraged residents to secure their homes and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement.