Brazen Bearsted burglar jailed

A brazen burglar who broke into a home in Bearsted has been jailed.

William Carpenter targeted the family home on The Landway at around 1pm on Thursday 16 July 2026.

After breaking into the house he spent around 40 minutes inside before he fled with cash, watches and jewellery.

He left the area in a nearby car which was later identified by officers. As part of the investigation detectives discovered that Carpenter had taken out an insurance policy on the vehicle, which was valid for one day only, the same day the burglary took place.

Mobile phone records also showed that his device was in the area at the time of the break in.

Five days earlier, a home belonging to an elderly woman in Lunsford Lane, Larkfield, was also broken into.

The pensioner had recently vacated the house, and it was being looked after by family and friends, and on the morning of Saturday 11 July the rear patio door was found to have been broken with glass shattered all over the floor.

During the break in, alcohol and jewellery were stolen, and blood, later identified as belonging to Carpenter, was found on a curtain near to the broken back door.

The 41 year old was arrested on Thursday 27 August and later charged in connection with both offences.

Carpenter, of Stanstead Road, London, admitted the charges and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 30 October where he was handed a custodial sentence of two years and four months.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Celia King said:

‘Carpenter pretended to be shocked and confused when he was arrested for these crimes, however he admitted his actions following the strength of our evidence, which included forensically linking him to one of the burglaries. ‘I hope this outcome serves as a deterrent to others.’