‘Mindless vandal’ in glue attack on houses

A MAN has been convicted of criminal damage after more than 130 door and garage locks were glued shut.

Police launched a major investigation last year after being deluged with reports in Heywood, Rochdale.

Kyle Mungroo, 30, of High Street, Heywood, has now been sentenced after he was captured on CCTV outside a house he targeted.

Police chiefs welcomed the conviction and hit out at his ‘mindless and dangerous vandalism.’

Heywood Inspector Andy Fern said: “There has been significant impact on the community, who have been angered and frustrated at the actions of an individual.”

Reports of glue being squirted into door locks of houses and garages were received by police in July, August and October.

Mungroo was charged with two counts of criminal damage and appeared before Bury and Rochdale magistrates where he pleaded guilty to both charges.

The charges relate only to glue attacks at two Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) properties on Marlour Court in the early hours of October 25.

One house had CCTV fitted and Mungroo was later identified by police.

He was captured reaching towards the front door with a torch before walking away and approaching the house next door. It’s understood officers recognised his distinctive appearance and gait.

Mungroo is understood to have given police a ‘no comment’ interview on arrest, refusing to reveal why he targeted both properties with glue.

The court said damage worth £80 in total was caused to the doors, which belonged to the housing society.

Mungroo was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay £80 compensation to RBH, £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge. Police have previously hinted at possible civil action. Insp Fern said: “The sentence given was in relation to two of the criminal damages and shows we have caught the right suspect. We believe this initial conviction will only be the start and we will be working in partnership with other agencies to get justice for the many victims.” Vicki Webb, head of customer experience at RBH, said: “Whilst the compensation does not reflect the financial impact of the crimes committed it is of more importance that tenants and residents are no longer inconvenienced in their own homes.” Heywood Inspector Andy Fern