Sheffield burglar caught after Apple AirPods he stole tracked him to city shop where he tried to sell them
The burglar was homeless at the time of the break-in
The victim of a Sheffield burglar watched in disbelief as an app tracking the location of his stolen Apple AirPods showed them being taken to a shop which buys electronics from customers.
Callum Denton, of Deerlands Avenue, Parson Cross, broke into the man’s home on October 23, 2024, before making off with £350 of possessions.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on Tuesday, July 7, how the 22-year-old was caught on CCTV arriving at the victim’s house along with an accomplice in the early hours. The homeowner had gone to bed just one hour before.
When the victim woke up the next day, he was horror-struck to find a window open, “mud on his kitchen counter” from where the burglars climbed in.
Recorder Ms Janine Wolstenholme told Denton: “When you entered the home of the victim to steal items, he was asleep.
“The items, while not of great financial value, were of great value to him.
“It’s had an impact upon him - as any domestic burglary inevitably does.“
Items stolen included aftershave and two rucksacks - as well as a pair of Apple AirPods, which the victim realised could be tracked in real time on an app.
It gave police ample evidence to prove how the AirPods had been taken to a Sheffield shop that same morning, where staff refused to buy them.
CCTV later show Denton in the store - dressed in the same clothes that be wore during the burglary - and another man attempting to sell the headphones.
The 22-year-old was arrested and at first claimed he knew nothing about where the AirPods came from, but later pleaded guilty to burglary.
The aftershave and rucksacks were never recovered.
The court heard Denton was homeless at the time of the burglary, but has since secured accommodation and is working with mental health teams.
The judge said: “You are moving in the right direction in regards to addressing your immaturity.
“By a hair’s breadth, by your recent progress, I am just about persuaded to give you another chance.”
Denton was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, along with 30 days of rehabilitation requirement.
“If you breach these terms, you will go to prison,” said the judge.