Shamed mayor and Lancashire jailed as knickers thief

A former Lancashire village mayor who broke into the homes of women to steal their underwear has been jailed for two years.

Ian Stafford, 59, resigned as Mayor of Preesall, near Fleetwood, when he was arrested in connection with the missing garments.

The women called in police after their underwear kept disappearing and one victim even installed a hidden camera in her bedroom.

Stafford, of Sandycroft Place, Preesall, pleaded guilty last month to burgling the properties in Poulton-le-Fylde and Stalmine, Lancashire, between January 1 and June 26 last year.

Speaking after the sentencing at Preston Crown Court, Det Con Steve Montgomery said: "This has been a distressing ordeal for the victims involved, all of whom had let Mr Stafford into their homes, trusting him to carry out maintenance.

"They certainly did not expect him to search for, and steal, their possessions. There has been a breach of their trust in a very intimate nature.”

He added: "The victims are relieved that the court process is now over. The high-profile reporting has added an additional level of stress to the victims.

"They are pleased with the sentence handed out to Mr Stafford by the court and ask for their privacy to be respected by the media.

“The police are happy with the conclusion of this unusual case and are pleased that justice has been done for the victims."

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