Siblings sentenced after admitting burglaries in West Norfolk

A brother and sister who pleaded guilty to multiple offences including burglary and theft have been sentenced.The siblings had previously admitted a burglary in Walpole St Andrew on August 14 last year which saw a car stolen from a driveway and given false plates.John Sturgess, 37, and Jaideenna Graham, 24, both of Chalk Road, Wisbech, were sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday for their involvement in the break-in.

Sturgess was handed a 24-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.He was also given a 12-month driving ban and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work after admitting three counts of burglary, two counts of theft, one of fraud, one of possessing a Class B drug and one of driving while disqualifiedJaideenna Graham, 24, was handed an 18-month community order and a 20-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, as well as being ordered to undertake a mental health treatment requirement for 12 months.She admitted three counts of burglary, three of theft, and one count of possessing a class B drug.The car stolen from the Walpole St Andrew property was recovered and further enquiries linked the pair to a burglary in Lynn, between August 13 and 15 last year, and a burglary at Wells Congregational Church on August 24.At the time the pair were living in a tent nearby.Whilst on remand Sturgess engaged with Operation Converter – the unit which encourages offenders to admit to further crimes that can be taken into consideration (TIC) at sentencing – and asked for eight other offences to be taken into consideration.These were four burglaries, two thefts, and two making off without payment from a petrol filling station. In total they amounted to more than £6,000, only £100 of which was recovered.The TIC offences all took place between May 29, 2016, and September 10, 2023.