'Victims were left terrified and deeply shaken': Skegness burglar jailed for series of overnight raids
A woman who targeted at least four homes in Skegness during a single night has been jailed for two years and eight months, according to Lincolnshire Police.
The offences took place between 11.30pm and 1.30am on the night of Wednesday August 20 to Thursday 21, in the Dorothy Avenue area, police report. At least four properties were entered overnight.
Lincolnshire Police said the suspect took advantage of insecure doors and windows, stealing items including phones, purses, laptops, food and toiletries. On one occasion, a victim reportedly confronted the suspect, who gave a story of fleeing domestic violence and asked for a glass of water — a ruse which ultimately helped police identify her.
The woman was later identified via forensic fingerprint analysis taken from the glass and CCTV footage, with victim statements supporting the identification by describing how the suspect presented and what she was wearing.
Lincolnshire Police confirmed that Rachael Buckett, 41, of Alexandra Road, Skegness, was charged five days later with four counts of burglary without violence and one count of attempted burglary. She first appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on August 27 and later pleaded guilty at Lincoln Crown Court on September 29.
She was remanded in custody until her sentencing on 19 December 2025, when she was jailed for two years and eight months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228, police said.
Detective Constable Oliver Sleber, who led the investigation for Skegness CID, said: “This offender’s actions were calculated and brazen, carried out with clear premeditation and a complete lack of remorse.
"Over a sustained period, she targeted multiple properties, indiscriminately stealing anything she could access. She was captured on CCTV removing items from properties, leaving those items out the front, going back in and out with items, collecting the haul and taking items to an unknown location. She did this for over two hours.”
DC Sleber added: “Her behaviour left victims terrified and deeply shaken, with their sense of safety and confidence severely rattled.
"At the time of these offences, Buckett was already on court bail for a previous series of burglaries, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law and for the impact on her victims.
"Such persistent and invasive offending will be met with consistent and robust investigation and unwavering commitment to safeguard these victims and restore the feeling of safety within the community.”