A burglar identified through CCTV has been jailed after stealing a cashbox containing more than £4,900 from a Poole petrol station and entering a home in Lytchett Minster.

Justin Chappell, 43 and of no fixed abode, admitted two burglary charges and theft. He was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 18 September 2026.

Chappell forced entry to the Esso petrol station in Blandford Road between around 2am and 2.45am on Saturday 11 July, making off with the cashbox.

In a separate incident at around 5.30am on Wednesday 22 July, a resident in Lytchett Minster discovered a man standing in her kitchen by the back door. She screamed, causing him to flee.

CCTV from the property also showed him trying the handles of her vehicles before entering one and stealing a pair of sunglasses.

Officers identified Chappell through CCTV enquiries relating to both burglaries and subsequently arrested him.
During sentencing, he asked for a further three commercial burglaries and three thefts committed in Poole between December 2025 and July 2026 to be taken into consideration.

Police Constable Kelly Stronach, of Dorset Police’s Neighbourhood Crime Team, said officers recognised the impact burglaries have on businesses and residents and would thoroughly investigate reported offences.
She added that CCTV enquiries had enabled officers to quickly identify Chappell and bring him to justice.