Shameless Burglar Sentenced to 8 Months in Jail for Watford Burglaries

A 26-year-old man has been jailed after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary and one count of vehicle interference in Watford.

George Mitchell, of no fixed abode, targeted three businesses in the town between July and August of this year.

On July 31, he broke into Fratelli’s restaurant on The Parade in Watford High Street and stole alcohol, a debit card, and £100 in cash.

He then broke into the same restaurant again on August 7-8 and stole another £100 in cash.

On August 10, Mitchell was captured on a doorbell camera trying the door handle of a car in Westfield Avenue, but he did not gain entry.

The following day, he broke into Majestic Gentlemen barbers on Queens Road and stole a laptop and cash.

Mitchell pleaded guilty to all three counts at Hatfield Remand Court on August 18 and was sentenced to eight months in jail. He was also ordered to pay £760 in victim compensation.

Detective Inspector Chris Parperi, who leads the Watford Local Crime Unit, said: “Mitchell shamelessly targeted independent businesses run by members of our community, leaving them to pay for repairs to their premises, and replace items that he had stolen.

“This is a message for those who steal from hard-working business owners in Watford: we will investigate, and we will strive to provide justice to victims of crime.”

Previous: In 2022, he was arrested a suspected knifeman in Watford’s Cassiobury Park. He was charged with possession of class A drugs (heroin and cocaine). He pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on 18 November, and was ordered to pay fines and costs.

In 2021, Mitchell was handed suspended sentence for theft from a motor vehicle, and false representation after using a stolen bank card.