Ex-Army trainer turns detective to catch burglars who broke into his home - and now they're behind bars
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An ex-Army trainer managed to track down the burglars who broke into his home - and arrest them - in just 12 hours.
Michael Henderson and Shawn Doolan have now both been jailed thanks to the efforts of crime victim turned detective Gareth Gingell.
Gareth carried out his citizen's arrest after interviewing witnesses to the crime and studying CCTV before he spotted one of the crooks in the street.
His evidence helped ensure Henderson, 25, and Doolan, 32, were successfully prosecuted at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court .
Now the pair have been jailed after pleading guilty to burglary .
(Image: SWNS.com)
(Image: SWNS.com)
Speaking after the case, IT worker Gareth has told how he collared Henderson and Doolan by putting the skills he learned in the military to good use.
The 30-year-old said: "I knew the police just didn't have the resources they used to. I know the area and decided to go out and see what I could find out. I knew that the next 24 hours were the most important."
The first Gareth knew something was wrong was when the police knocked on his door to say his Kia Sorento had been involved in a collision in, reports the Stoke Sentinel .
He checked his security cameras and discovered his house had been broken into three times while he was in bed at 3am, 4am and 5.45am on June 12.
(Image: SWNS.com)
(Image: SWNS.com)
Among the items taken included a mountain bike, vacuum cleaner, television, console and £250 cash was stolen.
Gareth, who has previously trained soldiers in personal safety and how to handle public order, spoke to residents and rough sleepers and was able to identify a route the offenders had taken with CCTV showing them fleeing through the neighbourhood.
His inquiries eventually led him to an alleyway at 4.40pm where he spotted a sock puppet he uses to sooth three-year-old daughter Demi and then a rubbish bag with clothes he believed the offenders had been wearing.
At that moment, Gareth spotted Henderson who he recognised from the CCTV.
(Image: SWNS.com)
(Image: SWNS.com)
While the suspect scarpered after being confronted, he was eventually arrested when Gareth found him hiding in a garden.
Father-of-one Gareth, who lives with 28-year-old wife Liana, said: "When the police came to my house I was still in my pyjamas and didn't have a clue what had happened.
"After some initial inquiries I found the sock puppet. It had so much sentimental value to the family but for them it was worth nothing. I knew they were in that area and rang the police.
"I saw Henderson and he went to reach for his phone to get the time and I asked 'Is it burgling time?'. He saw the puppet in my pocket and must have realised he'd been in my home.
(Image: SWNS.com)
"He took something out of his pocket. I knocked it out of his hand and got him on the floor.
"He ran off but I found him under some cardboard in a back garden. I know how to detain someone from my training and was able to use reasonable force and ask the people around to call the police."
Following Henderson's arrest, and while police were still in the area, Doolan turned up and he was also detained.
Henderson, of Shelton, went on to plead guilty to burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and driving without insurance.
(Image: SWNS.com)
CCTV from Gareth's home revealed three offenders had gone in his house with Henderson visiting three times and Doolan twice.
The court heard Henderson had claimed he took the car for a 'joy ride' before parking it up with 'another male' going on to crash it.
While the vehicle was written off and Gareth's family have been left upset by the incident – he feels justice has been served.
Gareth added: "My family and I have come out stronger. My wife didn't know me when I was in the Army, she just sees this IT worker, so now she believes me about the military."
(Image: SWNS.com)
The courtv heard both the defendants had only recently been released from prison prior to the incident after burgling a commercial premises.
Catherine O'Reilly, mitigating for Henderson, said: "At times he is his own worst enemy."
Anis Ali, mitigating for Doolan, added: "He has expressed his remorse."
Judge Paul Glenn sentenced Henderson to three years and four months and Doolan to two years and four months.
He said: "Henderson was the leading light and was shown on CCTV making every visit to the house. The actions of the defendants had a profound effect on the family."