An eagle-eyed CCTV operator helped police arrest a burglar in the early hours of last week.
The operator saw a man acting suspiciously at 3.45am at Subway in Chequer Street in St Albans city centre on June 25 and alerted police.
Police arrived and arrested Ben Kempster, age 36, of William Street in Luton, on suspicion of burglary other than a dwelling and he was subsequently charged and remanded in custody. He appeared at Hatfield Magistrates Court on Wednesday and he was given a two-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £200 in costs and given a rehabilitation order.
Safer Neighbourhood Inspector Andy Wiseman said: "Without the quick-thinking of the council CCTV operator alerting us to Kempster seen on camera stealing keys, we would not have been able to bring him back before the courts. He has a record of offending and committed this burglary whilst on licence.
"This partnership working with CCTV operators helps to keep the St Albans district safer."
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