Home burglary reported in Whitley Bay

Residential burglary in Whitley Bay

According to an article published on 10 March 2026 by Irishmirrorie, a residential burglary occurred in Whitley Bay on 13 July of last year. A mother discovered an intruder in her bedroom at approximately 5:00 pm while her young daughter was downstairs.

The perpetrator, identified as 45-year-old Joseph Bell, claimed he was "lost" when confronted by the homeowner. After being directed out of the property, Bell fled with a Ralph Lauren purse containing a bank card, loose change, and personal items. Shortly after the incident, the victim received notifications of various financial transactions attempted at a local Co-op and an amusements arcade.

Irishmirrorie reports that police identified Bell through CCTV footage at the Co-op. The defendant, who has 115 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to burglary at Newcastle Crown Court and was sentenced to 876 days in prison. The victim noted that while she typically kept her front door closed, she was uncertain if it had been locked at the time of the intrusion. She expressed significant distress regarding the invasion of her privacy and the safety of her daughter.

Always ensure that your front and back doors are locked, even when you are present inside your home.

Source : Irishmirrorie