Man sentenced to over three and a half years for residential burglary
It happened in Woking in February 2020
Last updated 26th Jan 2022
A man has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison after pleading guilty to a residential burglary.
Angel Ponea, 32, from Rainham, Havering, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court after pleading guilty to breaking into a house in Woking in February 2020.
Ponea stole bank cards, a laptop, two expensive pens, and a safe and attempted to use them the next day but was unsuccessful.
Officers arrested him on suspicion of burglary a few days later but he denied any involvement and was released under investigation.
After further investigation, Ponea's initial statement was disproved and he was subsequently charged and summoned to court.
At each of his initial hearings, Ponea pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty the day before his trial was due to start.
PC Luke Lightburn, who investigated the case, said: "The fact that Ponea is now behind bars is testament to the hard work of the team and will also be of great comfort to our local communities.
"Residential burglaries have a massive impact on the victim, not just because of the financial implications and inconvenience involved, but also because of the traumatic effect it can have.
"Tackling burglary and bringing those who commit them to justice, remains one of our top priorities and this result demonstrates our commitment to that."