DAVID Clift has been jailed for six years after admitting a raft of thefts – including in the Weymouth, Dorchester and Purbeck areas.

The 47-year-old, of no fixed abode, admitted more than 30 burglaries when he appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for a sentencing hearing on Tuesday (June 18).

After pleading guilty to nine burglary offences, as well as a charge of assaulting an emergency worker and a fraud offence, Clift also asked for a further 23 burglaries to be taken into consideration when he was sentenced.

He was charged with nine commercial burglaries that occurred in Swanage, Weymouth and Dorchester between December 13 last year and February 27, 2024.

Premises targeted included cafés, churches and a hair salon.

Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team worked with investigators from the Volume Crime Team to compile evidence of Clift’s offending, which included CCTV and forensic evidence, and he was arrested on February 28.

While he was in custody, Clift spat at and kicked out at an officer.

Clift was subsequently charged and at court admitted a further 23 burglary offences – 15 in Weymouth, four in Dorchester, two in Wareham, one in Swanage and one in Crewkerne in Somerset – which were taken into account when he was sentenced.

PC Dave Williams, of the Volume Crime Team, said: “David Clift is a prolific offender who repeatedly targeted commercial premises in the Weymouth, Dorchester and Purbeck areas.

“We fully recognise the impact offending of this nature has on businesses, with many of those targeted by Clift being smaller independent retailers.

“With local officers from the neighbourhood policing team, we are committed to taking action against offenders such as Clift so they can be held accountable for their crimes.”

Neighbourhood Inspector Sam Goom, of Weymouth and Portland police, said: “Weymouth and Portland has low numbers of burglaries, but we recognise the impact these offences have on victims when they happen.

“David Clift was a one-man crime wave. Officers from across Weymouth and West Dorset worked diligently and quickly to identify and apprehend him. Our relentless approach has ensured he has faced justice in the courts.

“I hope this brings the victims some satisfaction. His sentence will ensure the public are protected from him for some time.”