Burglar posed as own twin
A FAKE carer who pretended to be her own twin to blag her way into victims’ homes has been jailed – thanks to a Toffee Crisp mug.
Burglar Jennifer Simmons, of Over Pool Road, Ward End, Birmingham, stole cash and other valuables from houses across Birmingham in June.
But a swig of water she took from a mug was her downfall after police linked DNA from it to the other crimes.
The 32-year-old first preyed on a pensioner with mobility issues, stealing cash and laptops from her Ladywood house in Birmingham.
Simmons claimed to be her own twin sister to gain entry for a second time when she returned to the 74-year-old’s home days later.
When her cover was blown, she tore out telephone wires to stop the frail victim from calling for help.
In another offence she pretended to be a carer to get inside the home of an 82-year-old woman. Once inside, she snatched a vintage handbag, cash and a gold watch.
But during this visit she took a swig of water from a Toffee Crisp mug – which later helped link all three crimes. Her DNA was later recovered by police and sent for forensic analysis, proving to be a match.
Simmons also struck in Masefield Square, Northfield, at the home of a disabled woman, but she was rumbled in the act by the victim’s son and ordered to leave. He reclaimed three phones Simmons swiped from the property and managed to use one to take a snap as she fled – the photo proved crucial in tying the various cases together.
Simmons denied all knowledge of what happened, but went on to be charged with three burglaries. She was jailed for three years and four months.