Cambridge Uni exam burglar gets lesson in justice

A thief stole bank cards from a Cambridge University student who was sitting an exam at the time before going on a spending spree.

Christian Willoughby, 43, let himself into the victim's unlocked room at Trinity College while the student was sitting an exam on 24 May last year.

The student began receiving a series of text alerts of bank transactions while at lunch following the exam as Willoughby purchased food, drink and clothes.

Willoughby, formerly of Grimsby, Lincolnshire, admitted burglary, theft and 18 counts of fraud and was jailed for 11 months at Peterborough Crown Court on 10 July.

Cambridgeshire Police said the student returned to his room to discover his wallet had been stolen, along with a £200 watch and an envelope containing more than £100 in cash.

Willoughby used the stolen bank cards within minutes of taking them to buy scratch cards, clothing, a new outfit, food and alcohol.

Later that day, Willoughby stole more bank cards from a member of staff at bar La Raza, in Rose Crescent, Cambridge, and used these to buy food and train tickets to travel back home.

He continued buying food and drink with the cards even after returning home to Lincolnshire until police arrested him.

Willoughby had been caught on CCTV and cleaning staff at the university had also reported someone behaving strangely.

Det Con Louise Clarke said: "Willoughby is an opportunist always looking for ways to steal and line his own pockets.

"Thankfully, on this occasion, the quick-thinking of cleaning staff at the college secured a good description of him which helped us identify him.

She added: "The real-time spending messages received by both victims meant they were immediately alerted to something wrong. This allowed them to swiftly contact us with details of the crimes."

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