Burglar swallowed gold necklace to avoid getting caught

Clifford Airey, a prolific burglar, pinched the chain, worth several hundred pounds, from a home in Herne Bay, Kent on January 31 this year.

The 52-year-old was still carrying the chain when he raided another home in the area on the same day and was caught by police.

Just before being arrested, however, he gulped down the gold chain in a desperate bid to prevent being linked to the other burglary.

But he was locked up – and officers had their evidence when nature called and he passed the gold chain.

Police recovered the necklace from his stool.

Airey, of Herne Bay, admitted burglary and handling stolen goods and jailed for eight years and was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court last week.

Detective Constable Kirsty Martin said this week: ‘Airey is a prolific burglar and has caused significant suffering.

Writer: Jen Mills for Metro.co.uk