Dopey burglar jailed after taking a 'selfie' and sending it to victim's work colleagues

Bungling burglar Ashley Keast took a 'selfie' and inadvertently sent it to his victim’s work colleagues thus landing himself in jail.

We're all a bit sick of the 'selfie' but one particular dopey burglar has more reason than most to hate the ubiquitous social media trend.

Bungling burglar Ashley Keast took a 'selfie' and inadvertently sent it to his victim’s work colleagues thus landing himself in jail.

Keast, 25, snapped a picture of himself wearing a white sleeveless vest using a SIM card stolen from a house at Fernleigh Drive, Brinsworth, Rotherham.

He was given a two-year-eight-month jail term yesterday at Sheffield Crown Court, along with co-accused Anthony Hunt, 27, from Garbroads Crescent, Thrybergh, who was sentenced to 18 months for burglary.

He and Hunt broke into the property on 11 September last year while the occupants were on holiday.

They stole jewellery, electrical items and an Audi A4 worth a total of about £27,000. The car was found crashed a short time afterwards at nearby Centenary Way. It had suffered extensive damage.

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said: "Keast had stolen a SIM card from the property and, using another phone, took a selfie and posted it on the whatsapp messenger application,

"However, unknowingly, Keast also sent the picture to the victim's work colleagues, who became suspicious and contacted police."

Police visited Mr Keast at home the following day and found a stolen Rolex watch, worth £4,000, hidden behind a radiator. Keast also admitted being in breach of a suspended sentence.

PC Adam Broughton, of South Yorkshire Police said: "Burglaries cause the victims and their families a great deal of pain and suffering and in this case many items of sentimental value can never be replaced.

“South Yorkshire Police is committed to identifying and arresting offenders. The result of this case should act as a deterrent to would-be offenders who should think twice about committing such offences."