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'Wimbledon Prowler' admits Boris Becker burglary attempt | 'Wimbledon Prowler' admits Boris Becker burglary attempt |
(32 minutes later) | |
A serial burglar dubbed the "Wimbledon prowler" has admitted trying to raid the home of tennis star Boris Becker. | A serial burglar dubbed the "Wimbledon prowler" has admitted trying to raid the home of tennis star Boris Becker. |
Asdrit Kapaj, 42, burgled a string of residences in the London suburb, home to the All England Lawn Tennis Club. | Asdrit Kapaj, 42, burgled a string of residences in the London suburb, home to the All England Lawn Tennis Club. |
His "sustained campaign" spanned more than a decade, netting him high-end items and thousands in cash. | His "sustained campaign" spanned more than a decade, netting him high-end items and thousands in cash. |
After pleading guilty to 21 burglaries last month, he returned to court on Monday to admit an attempted burglary at Mr Becker's home. | After pleading guilty to 21 burglaries last month, he returned to court on Monday to admit an attempted burglary at Mr Becker's home. |
Kingston Crown Court heard Kapaj travelled from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, to target homes in south-west London from 2008 until his arrest in February. | Kingston Crown Court heard Kapaj travelled from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, to target homes in south-west London from 2008 until his arrest in February. |
He attempted to raid Becker's house on 31 October 2013. | He attempted to raid Becker's house on 31 October 2013. |
The 51-year-old German, who won six Grand Slam singles events during his career - including Wimbledon three times - lived in the area with his then wife Lilly at the time. | The 51-year-old German, who won six Grand Slam singles events during his career - including Wimbledon three times - lived in the area with his then wife Lilly at the time. |
Becker said: "He didn't actually get into the house," before adding "I'm pleased he's been caught." | |
His estranged wife Lilly said: "He had no choice but to admit what he'd done." | |
Scotland Yard had linked the "prowler", who wore a distinctive fisherman's hat, to 200 burglaries in total. | Scotland Yard had linked the "prowler", who wore a distinctive fisherman's hat, to 200 burglaries in total. |
He was accused of meticulously destroying security equipment and police said he may have used a device to pick locks. | He was accused of meticulously destroying security equipment and police said he may have used a device to pick locks. |
Over the years, Kapaj's haul included a diamond ring, a gold necklace and a gold watch. | Over the years, Kapaj's haul included a diamond ring, a gold necklace and a gold watch. |
As well as the attempted raid on Becker's home, Kapaj admitted another burglary in the area on 25 January 2014. | As well as the attempted raid on Becker's home, Kapaj admitted another burglary in the area on 25 January 2014. |
Judge Peter Lodder QC described the married father of two as having "identified a particular area and conducted a sustained campaign". | Judge Peter Lodder QC described the married father of two as having "identified a particular area and conducted a sustained campaign". |
A large group of residents went to court last month to celebrate Kapaj's guilty pleas. | A large group of residents went to court last month to celebrate Kapaj's guilty pleas. |
One, Laurie Porter, said homeowners were now "sleeping more easily" after he admitted the burglaries. | One, Laurie Porter, said homeowners were now "sleeping more easily" after he admitted the burglaries. |
Kapaj will next appear in court on 7 June. | Kapaj will next appear in court on 7 June. |
He was already due to be sentenced for his other offences, which also included two counts of attempted burglary, on 21 June. | He was already due to be sentenced for his other offences, which also included two counts of attempted burglary, on 21 June. |
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