A man has been convicted of theft after more than £13,000-worth of jewellery was stolen from two houses in Staffordshire, including a property in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

James Lancashire, of Church Stretton in Shropshire, appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday 20 January where he admitted two counts of theft in dwelling other than an automatic machine or meter.

Staffordshire Police explained that 37-year-old Lancashire was working as an operator in the property industry when he carried out a survey of a home in Gentleshaw, near Rugeley, on Monday 20 May 2024

The victim, a man in his 60s, was in the home whilst the survey was completed.

Three days later, the victim realised that around £2,250-worth of jewellery, including a sovereign ring and a gold-plated watch, and a limited-edition coin commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's death, were missing.

On Tuesday 28 May, Lancashire was booked to do a survey at a house in Maer, Newcastle-under-Lyme where the victim, a woman in her 50s, showed him around her home before letting him get on with the survey.

Whilst in her bedroom, Lancashire stole a platinum diamond ring, an engagement ring, a wedding ring and a Tag Diver's watch, worth a total of around £11,000.

Staffordshire Police said that following an investigation by the Rural Policing Team, Lancashire was arrested and the sovereign ring was located at a pawn shop in Telford and returned to the victim.

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PC Daniel Marsh, of the Newcastle-under-Lyme local policing team (LPT) worked on the case.

He said: "This was a complex investigation and thanks to the evidence gathered against Lancashire, he has now pleaded guilty in court.

"Lancashire was allowed into his victims' homes as he should have been there for work, but instead he took advantage of them and stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery.

"I hope this conviction shows we are committed to protecting residents and their property across Staffordshire."

Lancashire is due to be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Friday 20 March.