Reading Burglar Caged for Four Years After Mosque Raid
Anthony Chieke, 56, has been sentenced to four years behind bars for a daring burglary spree across Reading and Slough. The Westminster man was handed his sentence at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday (8/10) despite refusing to show his face in court.
Jury Convicts Despite No-Show
The jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict on all charges while Chieke stayed away. He was convicted of two counts of burglary, criminal damage, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified.
Mosque Targeted in Brazen Overnight Raid
Last October, Chieke struck at Abu Bakr Mosque on Oxford Road between 9pm Saturday and 6.30am Sunday. He smashed donation boxes, stole around £1,000 in cash, and stole keys to break into the CCTV control room.
- Sprayed white paint over security cameras to blind them
- Damaged crucial CCTV cables to disrupt footage
- Left his DNA at the scene, sealing his fate
Thames Valley Police tracked down Chieke after forensic evidence tied him to the scene. With justice served, the local community can now breathe a little easier.
