A Life of Crime

A 'career burglar' named Simon Berkowitz, 65, was jailed for 5 and a half years after 50 years of doing burglaries and 250 convictions. He stole £30,000 targeting houses in affluent areas in the New Forest in Hampshire. Berkowitz first appeared at Worthing Juvenile (now youth) Court in 1961, aged 14, on a charge of larceny and was given a two-year probation order and ordered to pay 38p in costs. Simon admitted to 5 burglaries, 1 count of going equipped to steal and 2 counts of fraud. Police say this was only the 'tip of the iceberg. He was believed to have committed thousands of thefts over the years. The Queen is now looking after his retirement.