Serial criminal jailed after "spree of offending"

Friday 05 April 2019

A 45-year-old man has been jailed for four years after he entered several houses in his neighbourhood over the course of five days, stealing tablets, watches, purses and up to £820 in cash.

Kevan John Falle went on what was described as a “spree of offending” between 13 May and 17 May 2018.

He appeared in front of the Superior Number – a panel that only assembles for the most serious cases - facing one count of illegal entry with intent and three counts of illegal entry and larceny.

The Court heard that he had broken into three properties - the majority of which were located around Colomberie where he lived. Falle also entered another home on Colomberie on 13 May, but was interrupted by the woman living in the property. He left behind a takeaway cup in a plant pot at the back of house, which police officers later recovered.

Falle broke into a home on Roseville Street just two days later, stealing co-codamol tablets and two watches. The following day, at around 05:30, he broke into another property in the same street, stealing a purse and a wallet, containing £220 in cash.

On both occasions, Falle was seen on CCTV walking in the direction of the properties. The police identified him as a suspect and launched a surveillance operation to monitor his movements. 

Pictured: The break-ins were committed around Colomberie, where Falle lived. 

On 17 May, Falle was seen trying to open the front door of a property on Val Plaisant. He then walked to Poonah Lane, where a further break-in was later reported. 

Items stolen at the victims' homes - including watches, bank cards, driving licences and wallets - were found by Falle’s former landlord in an outbuilding and brought to Police headquarters the same day.

Falle was arrested on 23 May and denied ever having been at any of the properties, despite CCTV footage showing him around the homes. He admitted being a regular drug user and having spent £1,000 on pills in the weeks before the incidents. He told officers: “I ain’t got a clue, mate… I was probably spaced out, yeah.”

Crown Advocate Conrad Yates told Court that Falle’s actions had caused “distress" to the households he entered.

He said Falle a “prolific record” of 120 previous offences, including 65 for theft and related offense and recommended a five-year prison sentence.

Pictured: Falle was arrested following a surveillance operation.

Defending, Advocate George Pearce, said that Falle had acted in an “unplanned and untargeted manner.” “He did not target the elderly or disabled,” he added.

He said that the premises Falle had entered had only been occupied in two occasions and that no victims had suffered injuries, nor had Falle threatened to use force. In addition, Advocate Pearce said Falle hadn’t soiled or ransacked any of the properties and had only stolen items of “relatively low financial value".

The lawyer said Falle had had a “troubled and challenging life, which was punctuated by tragic events”. The Court heard that Falle spent most of his childhood in care and suffered physical abuse while there.

Advocate Pearce said that it was during that time that Falle had been introduced to “illegal substances” and that he had started using heroin at the age of 13.

The lawyer said that Falle accepted the responsibility for his actions and wanted to take “meaningful steps to turn his life around”. He urged the Court to reduce the Crown’s conclusions, describing them as “excessive".

Pictured: The Deputy Bailiff urged Falls to take advantage of all the help available to him in prison.

Returning the Court’s sentence, the Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq, who was sitting with Jurats Kim Avery, Elizabeth Dulake, Collette Crill, Anthony Olsen and Jerry Ramsden, described Falle’s actions as “a spree of offending”.

“You seem to have adopted this type of crime to fit your needs without regard for the effect on victims,” the Deputy Bailiff said.

He said the Court had taken into consideration Falle’s letter of remorse but added they couldn’t overlook the effect his offending had on his victims. He went on to say, however, the Court could reduce the suggested sentence “to an effect” and sentenced Falle to four years in prison.

Before Falle was taken away by custody officers, the Deputy Bailiff added: “We express the strong hope that you will receive and take advantage of all the help available to you in prison in order to address your offending and its causes.”