A 44-year-old career burglar from Cardiff has been jailed, following an audacious string of break-ins that unsettled local communities and left several victims reeling. Mark Burnell, whose criminal record stretches back years, was apprehended by South Wales Police after a spate of burglaries and attempted burglaries in late 2024 and early 2025. Upon his arrest, Burnell made a startling admission, telling officers: “I’ve been waiting so f****** long for this, you didn’t take any notice.” His words suggest a long-standing anticipation, or perhaps frustration at not being caught sooner.
Burnell’s series of offences painted a troubling picture of persistent criminal activity across various Cardiff neighbourhoods. The incidents began on 29 December last year, when a homeowner suffered the distress of having her handbag stolen during a break-in. According to evidence presented at Cardiff Crown Court, the stolen bag contained vital personal belongings, including insulin required for the victim’s diabetes, several bank cards, a small amount of cash, and treasured photographs of her late husband.
After the theft, the victim’s son quickly uncovered several suspicious purchases on her bank account, totalling over £100. Investigators were soon able to link these transactions to Burnell, who was identified on CCTV using the stolen bank card to make purchases at local shops. This clear evidence proved pivotal in building the case against him.
The court also heard that Burnell broad daylight attempted to open the doors of multiple properties on Rhiwbina Hill on 4 January. Surveillance footage captured his brazen attempts, as he tried not just front doors but also targeted the door of a car parked on a driveway. Fortunately, residents remained unharmed, but the sense of intrusion left many feeling vulnerable.
Just two days later, Burnell struck again. While a couple were out of their Llantrisant Road home, he gained entry, making off with a blue fabric jewellery box containing around £100 worth of costume jewellery, a golfing watch valued at £300, and a key to the family’s garage. Such losses, both sentimental and financial, often have a lasting effect on victims well beyond the value of the items taken.
The final incident in Burnell’s spree occurred later that same day. He was seen approaching a residence in Highfields, Llandaff, trying the front door before quickly leaving and muttering, “Oh sorry, it’s the wrong door.” The quick-witted resident posted the footage to a local Facebook group, where Burnell’s behaviour was recognised by others as suspicious – ultimately leading to his identification and arrest.
Once apprehended on Gillian Road, Burnell appeared almost resigned, repeating to officers that he’d been expecting to be caught. Police recovered various stolen items, including a watch and a wallet, in his possession. At his sentencing hearing, Burnell pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including burglary, aggravated burglary, and fraud. His admission marked the end of another chapter in a criminal career marked by recurring thefts and fraudulent activity.
Burnell’s record, the court heard, is extensive: 27 previous convictions encompassing 58 thefts, 20 frauds, and 15 burglaries. His defence solicitor, Gareth Williams, indicated that his client’s circumstances had spiralled, noting he was homeless and struggling with severe mental health issues at the time of the offences. Williams painted a picture of a man in ‘dire straits’, whose offending was as much a cry for help as it was a deliberate act.
Passing sentence, Judge Shomon Khan imposed a custodial term of four years, reflecting both the serious impact on the victims and Burnell’s repeated offending. The judge’s comments underscored the traumatic ripple effects such crimes can cause, not just for individuals but entire neighbourhoods.
This case brings into focus the cyclical nature of crime among those living on society’s margins, raising ongoing questions about support systems, mental health provision, and the long-term protection of local communities. As Cardiff tries to recover from this latest string of incidents, many residents will be watching closely to see how both the criminal justice and social care systems respond.