Shomrim praised as Stamford Hill burglar jailed

A judge has paid tribute to community patrol group Shomrim for its help in the successful prosecution of a serial burglar.

After Judge Neil Sanders at Snaresbrook Crown Court sent a 54-year old man to jail for 10 months, he praised the actions of the volunteers, saying: “The service they did that evening was significant.”

The incident took place in Stamford Hill late last year, when Gary Mitchell was seen breaking and entering a rear flat window two days before Christmas. The flat was occupied at the time by parents and young children.

Shomrim volunteers who had been following the man subsequently detained him at the Lordship Road property until police arrived, whereupon he was arrested him on suspicion of attempted burglary. He denied the charges until the beginning of the trial, when he changed his plea to guilty. 

“This is a great result not just for the victim in this case but for all other residents of Hackney too,” said Shomrim volunteer Michael Scher.