A prolific burglar with a long criminal history has been sentenced to over two years in prison after breaking into a home in Sutton Coldfield and stealing three vacuum cleaners.
Neil Millichamp, 51, of Blithfield Grove, Erdington, entered the unoccupied property, rummaging through drawers, scattering personal belongings, and ultimately stealing vacuums worth £580. His crime was uncovered after he left blood at the scene, which led to his arrest.
The property, located on Baxterley Grove, had been vacant following the death of its elderly occupant. Her daughter, who regularly checked on the house, discovered the break-in on September 25, 2023. She was horrified to find her mother’s personal belongings disturbed.
Caught by DNA Evidence
During the investigation, forensic testing matched blood found at the scene to Millichamp. He was arrested on January 28, 2024, and police later recovered two of the stolen vacuums at his HMO.
Millichamp pleaded guilty to burglary and possession of offensive weapons—knuckledusters and an extendable baton found in his residence.
A Life of Crime and Missed Chances
The court heard that Millichamp had 25 previous convictions for 85 offenses, including 14 domestic burglaries. His defense lawyer, Laura Coton, explained that he had faced a difficult life, growing up in care and suffering abuse. She also mentioned that he had previously turned his life around by starting a car mechanics business, which he lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the judge, Recorder Jas Jandu, rejected Millichamp’s claim that he only entered the house to escape a group chasing him. Given his history of domestic burglaries, he faced a minimum three-year sentence, which was reduced by 20% due to his guilty plea.
Jailed for Over Two Years
Millichamp was sentenced to 876 days—approximately two years and five months—at Birmingham Crown Court.
His defense argued that he was “too old for this” and determined not to reoffend. However, the judge emphasized the impact on the victim’s family, stating that the crime was not just about theft but also about violating a family’s personal space
