See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ANDREW LEVY, REPORTER Published: 16:02 BST, 12 June 2026 | Updated: 16:02 BST, 12 June 2026
A judge advised a professional burglar to find another career after a bungled raid where he left a passport photo of himself at a £4 million property.Glen Banks, 57, had climbed through the window of a two-bedroom house in London’s exclusive Belgravia area when he was spotted by someone and fled.In his haste, he left his jacket behind which contained paperwork including the passport photo.The jacket added to the evidence against him as it was tested for DNA and identified as belonging to the career criminal, who was later arrested.Banks appeared this week at Southwark Crown Court before Judge Sally-Ann Hales – who had previously spared him jail for another offence committed just 11 days before the Belgravia break-in on February 14 last year.Sentencing him to 28 months, she told the defendant, who had already been convicted of 34 thefts and ten burglaries: ‘Judging by the number of times you have been caught, you are not very good at it.’ Glen Banks, 57, had climbed through the window of a two-bedroom house in London ’s exclusive Belgravia area when he was spotted by someone and fledProsecutor Jade Sodipo told the hearing: ‘One of the occupants said he returned home in the evening at 6pm.‘He noticed that a window was open. He believed that it had been closed prior to him going out.‘He noticed that there was mud on the desk but he didn’t think anything of it at the time. He heard a rustling sound ten minutes later.’The resident spotted Banks, who scarpered from the property in Cadogan Lane.‘Nothing was taken from the property,’ Ms Sodipo added.Banks, of no fixed address, avoided a custodial term in early February last year when Judge Hales took pity on him after he stole Louis Vuitton and Celine handbags, a necklace, wallets, air-pods and £155 cash in a burglary at a £12 million six-bedroom terraced house in Rutland Gate, Knightsbridge committed on July 9, 2024.After admitting burglary and theft, she told him he might not be granted a place at an addiction centre in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, if he didn’t arrive promptly for his first appointment, adding: ‘This is an enormous opportunity for you to tackle your difficulties.’Matthew Banks, defending, told the judge: ‘He is incredibly keen to make this work.’ Cadogan Lane, Belgravia, where Banks was spotted by someone in the £4 million, two-bedroom house be had broken intoDuring the latest appearance on Wednesday, Judge Hales admonished Banks, who pleaded guilty to burglary, saying it was ‘disappointing to say the least’ to see him before her again.She noted his conduct meant he had to be moved from the rehabilitation centre after he was given his suspended sentence last year.‘Within three days of getting there, you were removed from the treatment centre because of unacceptable behaviour’ she said.‘Within 11 days you committed another dwelling house burglary.’Banks’ latest appearance activated his 12-month suspended sentence from his previous appearance, which was added to his 28-month term - making 40 months in total.
