ZACHARY JACKSON AND HIS BRUTAL BURGLARY SPREE IN BLACKPOOL AND LANCASTER
A known sex offender, Zachary Jackson, has carried out a disturbing series of residential burglaries across the Fylde coast, including in Blackpool, Lancaster, Poulton-le-Fylde, and Thornton-Cleveleys.The crimes involved thefts of valuables, electronics, and even a luxury vehicle, leaving victims feeling unsafe and traumatized.
The first incident took place in June 2022, when Jackson targeted a home on Westbourne Road in Lancaster.
According to court proceedings, the homeowners had just returned from holiday to find their residence completely ransacked.
Among the stolen items were approximately £500 in cash and roughly £7,000 worth of sentimental jewelry.
The homeowner expressed that the burglary had severely impacted her sense of security; she was left unable to sleep and deeply distressed by the loss of items that held personal and emotional significance.
During sentencing, Recorder Michelle Brown acknowledged the profound emotional damage caused to the victims, emphasizing that the crime inflicted both monetary loss and sentimental harm.
Jackson continued his criminal activities in September of the same year, when he targeted a property on Mains Lane in Poulton-le-Fylde.
On September 3 at around 10:30 am, the residents returned home to find their gate open and their Mercedes vehicle missing.
Stepping inside, they discovered their bedroom had been thrown into disarray, with drawers pulled out and wardrobe doors left open.
Thieves had taken a laptop, cash, and jewelry — including watches and bracelets — valued at an estimated £10,000.
Police later apprehended Jackson, along with an accomplice, after stopping the stolen Mercedes.
Just weeks later, on October 1, authorities responded to reports of another break-in in Thornton-Cleveleys, on School Road.
The female homeowner, who lived alone, had returned early in the morning from visiting a friend and found her house in disarray; bookshelves had been disturbed, and her TV cabinet was open.
Items had been rummaged through throughout the living room and bedroom, and a Dyson hairdryer was among the stolen belongings.
An enameled Japanese box was opened, with its contents scattered across the floor.
Despite her distress, she initially believed the incident was a one-off.
However, her fears intensified when, on October 5, she returned to find a blue Ikea bag filled with various items, including a Bose speaker, suggesting the burglar had planned to revisit.
The victim reported feeling constantly on edge and intimidated by these repeated invasions.
Another incident occurred in Thornton-Cleveleys when a man, sleeping at his home on Lanefield Drive, was awakened by a noise.
Although he initially went back to sleep, he later discovered that a vintage electric guitar and other belongings had been stolen from his residence.
Following these events, police investigations utilizing CCTV footage and mobile phone data led authorities to an address on Bond Street, where Jackson had been staying.
Jackson, who has a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order following a prior sex attack conviction in 2014, had claimed to police that he was homeless at the time of the burglaries.
However, his passport and other documentation indicated he had been residing at the Bond Street address.
Jackson pleaded guilty in court to five counts of dwelling house burglary, unauthorized taking of a vehicle, and breaching his sexual harm prevention order by failing to notify police of his address.
In court, he submitted a letter explaining that at the times of these crimes, he was homeless and battling a serious addiction to Class A drugs.
He extended apologies to his victims and stated that he had made efforts to address his issues during his remand in prison.
The sentencing judge, Recorder Michelle Brown, characterized Jackson’s series of crimes as a targeted burglary spree.
She highlighted that some of the break-ins occurred at night and involved multiple victims, emphasizing the distress caused.
Ultimately, Jackson was sentenced to three years in prison, with the sentences for each burglary running concurrently.
An additional two months were added for theft of the Mercedes, also to run concurrently.
Furthermore, he received a three-month sentence for breaching his sexual harm prevention order by not informing authorities of his whereabouts.
