A prolific burglar who targeted homes all over Thurrock has had her jail term slashed by half over claims she was being controlled by her ex-partner.

Lindsay Hilden, 35, of no fixed abode, carried out at least 23 burglaries with Peter Flowers, 43, Basildon Crown Court heard yesterday.

Between December 13, 2016, and February 1, 2017, police received reports of burglaries across nine locations – Aveley, Canvey Island, Chadwell Heath, Ilford, Grays, Rainham, Romford, Stanford-le Hope and Westcliff. 

Officers investigated the burglaries and around at least 40 were linked to Hilden, who admitted conspiracy to burgle and burglary, and her ex-partner Flowers. 

The pair were arrested by officers close to the scene of a burglary in Coombewood Drive, Chadwell Heath, in the early hours of Wednesday, February 1. 

Thurrock Gazette:

Flowers was sentenced on Friday, August 4, at Basildon Crown Court for six years for conspiracy to burgle, three years for burglary, one month for possession of an offensive weapon, 42 days for driving while disqualified, 21 days for failing to stop and seven days for possession of cocaine. 

However, Recorder Kenneth Carr reduced Hilden's prison term from six years to just three after hearing that she had a less significant role in the crime spree than Flowers.

Nick Ham, mitigating for Hilden, supplied a selection of letters between Hilden and Flowers that showed him speaking in a threatening way to her following their separation.

Mr Ham called for the sentence to be reduced because of the abusive relationship that Hilden was in with Flowers during the eight-week period that the burglaries were committed.

He also claimed that she was addicted to drugs throughout that time.

He said: “Flowers controlled her by not giving her money and only giving her drugs. Following having been arrested, she tried to end the relationship.

“Clearly she was in a abusive relationship, she had really never been involved in burglaries before so how does it come to be that she is now committing burglaries?

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“She was in such as state with the level of drug taking that she has no memory of that time.”

During the time of the burglaries, the pair had stolen car keys, money and jewellery. They were also found to have been squatting in properties and breaking into houses at night.

The court heard that two burglaries were on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Recorder Carr said: “Although the abusive relationship is significant, it is not more significant.

“Stealing Christmas presents and things of sentimental value as well as trespassing at night. An act such as that leaves people afraid in their own homes.”

Investigating officer PC Michael Brimfield said: “Yesterday’s sentence marks the end of a complex investigation that involved 40 investigations involving over 60 victims who suffered at the hands of two prolific burglars. 

“Hilden, like Flowers, has shown no remorse for her actions throughout this case.

"They left a trial of destruction as they carried out a large number of burglaries over a short period of time, most of which occurred during the festive period. 

“As this case comes to its conclusion, I would like to extend my thanks to everyone involved with this case. I hope both sentences offer some justice to their victims.”

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