Career burglar sent behind bars for the next eight Christmases

Following an investigation from our City of Manchester North Neighbourhood Crime Team, Darren Farrelly (23/09/1972) of no fixed abode was sentenced to eight years in prison on Friday 20 December 2024 at Manchester Crown Court in relation to four burglaries on properties.

Our dedicated local team tasked with investigating burglary and robbery across North Manchester secured the evidence to convict Farrelly, which included the offence of actual bodily harm after the judge also took into account his past offences.

Back in August 2024 residents on Bury Old Road in Cheetham Hill witnessed a burglary taking place at around 4am of two men who had stolen a TV from a communal room alongside forcing entry into victims’ personal flats stealing handbags and purses whilst they slept.

Ringing 999, officers responded immediately to the scene. The incident was also captured on doorbell footage. On arrival officers recovered the TV in the nearby car park and found a handbag in the corridor, suggesting they were startled.

Another call came into our call centre 30-minutes later whilst our officers were still on Bury Old Road, to respond to Catherine Road, which was only minutes away.

The victim this time reported they had been woken up to a man in his bedroom who was going through his drawers. Being chased out of the property, the suspect in one last attempt tried to take his vehicle but ran off towards Middleton Road.

Officers conducted a further detailed search of the area around these incidents, finding Farrelly nearby on Melton Road who matched the description given to them. This was after sighting him to break into a third property through a ground floor window wearing a balaclava and gloves.

As he tried to evade capture over a garden fence, officers caught him and was arrested swiftly.

Whilst under investigation on bail, in October 2024 a witness report came in spotting someone, who later transpired to be Farrelly again, climbing into a neighbours’ upstairs bedroom window on Haley Street in Manchester. They called the neighbour to warn them who then called 999 with family members inside and concerned for their safety.

Farrelly had stolen £500 from a bedroom and was seen by the victims committing the crime. Climbing back outside into an alleyway he was held by the witness as officers responded. A struggled followed where Farrelly bit the upper torso of the person to try to escape claiming he had a knife.

As officers arrived they detained Farrelly again who was caught red handed. He was subsequently charged this time and remanded in custody to prevent any further harm. He later pleaded guilty to all of the offences.

PC Samantha Birkett from the Neighbourhood Crime Team said; “It is clear Farrelly was a danger to local communities as he had a complete disregard for people who should feel safe in their own homes.

“Thanks to the quick actions of members of our neighbourhoods and response officers we were able to catch Farrelly in the act and used the evidence to convict him which was overwhelming and due to his past convictions meant he got a lengthy time behind bars.

“With it being the festive period, we’d like the public to remain vigilant and make sure they make sure their homes are secure.

“We always rely on information from our communities and would like to remind them to continue to report incidents and details to us as soon as possible as well as speaking to our officers when on patrol.”

Further crime prevention advice can be found by clicking here: Crime prevention advice | Greater Manchester Police