Thief arrested during casino gambling spree

Thief arrested during casino gambling spree

A PROLIFIC burglar dubbed ‘the dapper thief’ will be behind bars for Christmas after being jailed for four and a half years.

Simon Knights, of Carlton Avenue in Westcliff-on-Sea, was jailed at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday, 21 December after pleading guilty to breaking into a house in Benfleet on 8 September.

The 35-year-old, who steals to fund a gambling habit, dresses smartly as if he is on official business to commit burglary and takes a taxi to the houses he targets.

Knights was arrested at a casino on Western Esplanade in Southend on 7 November.

At his sentencing, a further 32 offences were taken into consideration.

PC Chris Martin, one of the officers involved in the case, said: "Knights was arrested as a result of help from the staff at Maxim's casino, who at our request, tipped us off that he was there gambling.

"On receiving the information myself and other officers went to the casino and arrested Knights as he played on a slot machine. No doubt he was using the proceeds of his crimes at the time.

"We are really happy with the sentence and, since Knights was remanded in custody, we have noticed a drop in these types of crimes in the area."