Doncaster detectives send career burglar back to prison after wicked crime against elderly woman

Operation Castle was introduced last year to combat Doncaster having one of the highest burglary rates in the country. In a matter of months, the impact of the operation has led to the city recording its lowest number of burglaries in the past five years, with a 21 per cent reduction in reports of burglary in 2023 compared to 2022.

There have been a number of notable convictions and significant sentences handed out since the operation's launch and now Steven Reynolds has found himself facing a lengthy prison sentence thanks to the efforts of the Op Castle team.

Reynolds was known to operate by targeting vulnerable people and trying to appeal to their good nature so that he could gain access to their homes.

He would then steal their possessions, leaving his victims feeling confused and unsafe in their own homes.

After being released from prison in August 2023, Reynolds soon reverted back to his criminal ways and it was in December 2023 that he targeted an elderly woman in Hexthorpe.

After offering to clear snow from the path leading up to her home, Reynolds asked if he could wash his hands inside her house before asking her for a drink.

When her back was turned, he stole the victim's purse and £20 in cash before fleeing the scene.

After the victim reported the crime to police, forensics teams worked quickly to take swabs from the glass Reynolds had drunk from.

This provided a positive DNA match and after working alongside Doncaster's Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Team, which monitors offenders known to commit a lot of crime and damage communities, Reynolds was arrested.

Detective Constable Larissa Porter, officer in charge of this case, said: "This was a really cruel crime which targeted an elderly and vulnerable woman in her own home.

"She thought Reynolds was simply doing a good deed but instead he was plotting and calculating how he was going to take advantage and steal from her.

"Operation Castle has already seen success in helping us recognise patterns of offending and gather vital intelligence on the movements of some of Doncaster's most prolific burglars.

"We were able to use the skills we have learnt so far on this operation to ensure justice was delivered in the case of Reynolds and we are pleased he has been given a lengthy custodial sentence."

Reynolds, 43, of St John's Road, Balby, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary dwelling and theft at Sheffield Crown Court on 9 February.

On Wednesday, Reynolds was jailed for six years and nine months after appearing for a sentencing hearing at the same court.

DC Porter said: "We have seen first-hand just how demoralising and devastating these burglaries can be. If you're committing these crimes and targeting vulnerable residents in society, you should be constantly looking over your shoulder as we are onto you.

"We're building more and more intelligence by the day on your offending and behaviour and we will do everything in our power to ensure you are brought before the courts and dealt with by the full force of the law."