A thief who burgled a church in Whittlesey twice in one day has been sentenced to 14 months in prison.

On June 9, Lloyd Lanigan, 31, of Orchid Close, Yaxley, first entered St Mary’s Church, Whittlesey, via its open front door, but then climbed through a gap at the top of another door and proceeded to steal £100 in cash.

Later that day, when the church was locked, Lanigan broke in through a stained glass window, and stole silverware valued at £300.

Lanigan pleaded guilty at Peterborough Crown Court on Monday (July 27) where he received eight months imprisonment for the first count of burglary and 14 months for the second, which will run concurrently.

Detective Constable James Bennett said: “The church, which stands as a pillar for the community, was burgled not once but twice in the same day, leaving the local residents deeply upset.

“Thankfully due to the advances in DNA profiling techniques, scenes of crime officers were able to gather evidence that led to Lanigan’s identification and imprisonment.”