Career burglar sent behind bars for the next eight Christmases
Darren Farrelly, a career burglar, was sentenced to eight years in prison for committing four burglaries in North Manchester, including offences of actual bodily harm. The incidents involved forced entries into properties, thefts, and confrontations with victims. Farrelly was apprehended multiple times, including after being caught on doorbell footage and by witnesses. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
Serial Burglar Who Terrorized North Manchester Homes Sentenced to Eight Years
A serial burglar who broke into multiple homes while victims slept has been jailed for eight years following a string of terrifying nighttime raids across North Manchester.
Darren Farrelly, 52, of no fixed address, received his sentence at Manchester Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to four burglaries, including one where he attacked a witness who caught him in the act.
The crime spree began in August when residents on Bury Old Road in Cheetham Hill witnessed two men stealing a TV from a communal room at 4am. The burglars forced entry into personal flats, stealing handbags and purses while occupants slept. Police responded within minutes to 999 calls, recovering the TV from a nearby car park and finding a handbag abandoned in a corridor.
Just 30 minutes later, officers raced to Catherine Road where a victim woke to find Farrelly rifling through his bedroom drawers. After being chased out, the burglar attempted to steal the victim’s vehicle before fleeing towards Middleton Road.
Police captured Farrelly on Melton Road after spotting him breaking into a third property through a ground floor window while wearing a balaclava and gloves. He tried to escape over garden fences but officers arrested him following a foot chase.
While on bail in October, Farrelly struck again on Haley Street, climbing into an upstairs bedroom window as a family slept inside. He stole £500 before being confronted by a witness who held him until police arrived. Farrelly bit the good Samaritan’s torso during a struggle and claimed he had a knife before officers detained him.
PC Samantha Birkett from the North Neighbourhood Crime Team said: “It is clear Farrelly was a danger to local communities as he had a complete disregard for people who should feel safe in their own homes. Thanks to the quick actions of members of our neighbourhoods and response officers we were able to catch Farrelly in the act and used the evidence to convict him which was overwhelming and due to his past convictions meant he got a lengthy time behind bars.”
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