Jewellery stolen by jailed burglar could belong to Sussex residents

Items stolen from jailed burglar Simon Knights, recovered by police

Now officers want to reunite the rings and watch with their owners, who may be people in Sussex.

Simon Knights, 39, was jailed for more than five years for a series of break-ins in Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire and Essex over the last year but could have committed many more.

In each case he used the rail network to move from town to town dressed smartly in a jacket, shirt and trousers, committing burglaries and then getting the next train home, police said.

Knights, of Kirkley Cliff Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of burglary and one of attempted burglary when he appeared at Chichester Crown Court on July 20 and was jailed for five years and six months.

Among the recovered items are a silver-coloured ring inscribed with the words Ward and Gabriela. The second is a small Swiss Baume pocket watch. The third is an ornate gold ring that is set with red and white gemstones.

Detective constable Philippa Hannard from Sussex Police’s priority crime team said: “Knights committed burglaries across the south east so we don’t know where these items have come from.

“As he was living in Suffolk when he was caught they could be from a crime there or could have been stolen in a burglary anywhere in the region.

“We do not know if these items are particularly expensive but they could hold great sentimental value to the victim.

“If you recognise any of the items please get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] quoting serial 840 of 16/06 or call 101.”

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