Neville Stanbury, 58, of Hazelbank Road, Lewisham, was sentenced to three years and four months at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to seven burglaries, one attempted burglary, and breach of a criminal behaviour order. The offences occurred between December 2025 and March 2026, targeting offices across the City of London's Square Mile.
Defendant's Remarks to Police
When questioned, Stanbury confessed to the burglaries and told officers they were 'lucky he had not done worse.' He admitted he had 'probably done it' when asked about break-ins he could not remember, saying he commits burglary to feed his heroin addiction and claiming: 'You're lucky I'm not grooming girls.'
Judge's Warning
Judge Christopher Hehir issued a stark warning that Stanbury may die in prison if he does not give up drugs. 'Ultimately the only person who can truly help you is you,' he told him. 'No-one puts a gun to your head and forces you to take heroin or other drugs, and no-one puts a gun to your head and forces you to go out burgling.' The judge said Stanbury was 'confrontational' with those trying to help him and that past efforts to avoid prison in favour of rehabilitation 'simply have not worked.'
Extensive Criminal History
The court heard Stanbury has 50 previous convictions spanning over 30 years, covering 140 offences, with the 'vast majority' for non-dwelling burglaries. In 2022, he was handed a criminal behaviour order banning him from the City of London until the end of 2031 after a £40,000 spree of criminal damage and theft. In 2016, he was jailed for four and a half years for a similar burglary campaign in London's legal district.
Details of the Burglary Spree
Prosecutor Matthew Jolliffe said Stanbury was repeatedly caught on CCTV committing the burglaries, linked by the green cap he wore. On December 28, he raided recruitment agency GH Engage, gym Roar Fitness, and insurance firm Zego at an office block on Eastcheap, stealing laptops and phones worth over £6,000. On January 23, he smashed through front doors to enter barristers' chambers at 3 Hare Court in Inner Temple. On March 18, he broke into IT firm Wavenet on Minories, and later raided finance company VFX and insurers City and Commercial in Duke's Place. On April 4, he stole electronic goods worth over £6,000 from Hubflow in Lombard Street.
Police Response
Detective Constable James Crellin, of City of London Police, said: 'Burglary is an intrusive crime that causes significant harm and distress to victims, as well as fear and disruption within businesses and residential communities in the City. We will always take this type of criminality seriously and thoroughly investigate all evidential leads, including forensics, to bring those perpetrators to justice.'
