Night prowler who raided elderly victims' homes as they slept jailed for 18 more months

From the Newshound archive · first published 27 October 2026.

Paul Gilbert, 38, crept into elderly people's homes across Great Yarmouth at night as they slept, and has now been handed a further 18 months at Norwich Crown Court. He admitted a burglary at St Nicholas Terrace, where he stole a house key, before Operation Converter detectives linked him to six more break-ins in December 2025, many targeting the key-safes fitted so carers and relatives can get inside.

'Forever tainted': one victim says the home he once thought safe has been spoiled for good.

Burglary is so common 'it doesn't shock people much', the victim wrote in his impact statement.

Etchells says police take 'a particularly dim view' of burglary, 'one of the most invasive crimes'.