Stoke-on-Trent slueth took just 12 hours to catch burglars
A former Army trainer took just 12 hours to track down and help lock away two burglars who raided his house three times in one morning after police failed to act.
Gareth Gingell, 30, studied CCTV and interviewed potential witnesses before performing a citizen's arrest when he spotted one of the suspects in the street.
He used an extensive skill set picked up in the military to gather evidence which eventually led to Michael Henderson, 25, and Shawn Doolan, 32, being jailed.
The crooks had been captured on CCTV breaking into Gareth's home in Stoke-on-Trent in the early hours of June 12.
Gareth Gingell, 30, studied CCTV and interviewed potential witnesses before performing a citizen's arrest when he spotted one of the suspects in the street
Michael Henderson (left), 25, and Shawn Doolan (right), 32, were both jailed thanks to Mr Gingell's DIY detective efforts
The first he knew about the burglary was when police knocked on his door to say his Kia Sorento had been involved in a collision in a nearby street.
The father-of-one 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.
Among the items taken included a mountain bike, vacuum cleaner, television, console and £250 cash.
Knowing the first 24 hours were crucial, Gareth spoke to residents and rough sleepers and was able to identify a route the suspects had taken with CCTV showing them fleeing through the neighbourhood.
His inquiries led him to an alleyway where he spotted a sock puppet he uses to sooth three-year-old daughter Demi and a bag with clothes he believed the offenders had been wearing.
Incredibly, at that moment, Gareth spotted Henderson, who he immediately recognised from the CCTV.
He bravely confronted the crook and managed to knock a knife out of his hand before he tried to run away.
Gareth then found him hiding in a garden and used his training to restrain Henderson 'with reasonable force' and ask passers-by to call police.
Security cameras at his house showed it had been broken into three times while he was in bed at 3am, 4am and 5.45am
Henderson (in the brown jacket), of Shelton, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and driving without insurance and admitted burglary
Doolan was then later spotted in the area with a bandaged wrist, which he injured during the burglary, and both thieves were in custody 12 hours after the break-in.
On Friday Gareth's portfolio of evidence, which was presented to prosecutors, helped convict Henderson and Doolan at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Henderson, of Shelton, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and driving without insurance and admitted burglary.
He was jailed for three years and four months while Doolan, of Stoke-on-Trent, was caged for two years and four months.
After the case, Gareth revealed his training, including personal safety and how to handle public order, came into good use after spending six years in the British Army.
The IT worker, who lives with wife Liana, 28, said he decided to turn DIY detective after knowing 'under-resourced' police would have taken days or weeks to investigate.
He added: 'When the police first came to my house I was still in my pyjamas and didn't have a clue what had happened.
'It was about 6.30am and they technically came to arrest me.
'All they saw was a car crash into other cars so they assumed or thought it was me. I then realised we had been burgled.
'We had no TV and my new bike and IT equipment were gone.
'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.
Doolan, of Stoke-on-Trent, was caged for two years and four months
Gareth's portfolio of evidence, which was presented to prosecutors, helped convict Henderson and Doolan at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court
'I knew the police just didn't have the resources they used to and 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.
'I managed to find out how many people were involved and pin down the faces and the path they had taken during the day.
'After finding a bag of clothes they must have been wearing 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..
'He took something out of his pocket, either a knife or a screwdriver and 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.
'They then found Doolan in the area with a bandaged wrist which he injured during the break-in and the CCTV also helped identify him.
'The police told me they were under-resourced which made me think they were going to be half-hearted in their inquiries.
Mr Gingell as a private security for the US Army Corps of Engineers in Tikrit, Iraq, 2010)
Mr Gingell in his army fatigues is in Basra Palace, while serving in Iraq during a tour in 2006
'Speaking to one of the constables, I just got the impression that it was going to be delay after delay.
'After Doolan was arrested he was let out on bail but he kept cutting his tag off and I had to detain him so the police could pick him up again.
'This happened about six times in all, it was ridiculous.
'Although we were obviously left upset by this, 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.'
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.
Sentencing, Judge Paul Glenn 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.'
Catherine O'Reilly, defending Henderson, said: 'At times he is his own worst enemy.'
Anis Ali, representing Doolan, said: 'He has expressed his remorse.'