Wiltshire violent burglar on the run after fleeing open prison

Gary Foy and Christopher Pike fled Ford Open Prison two days apart and it’s believed they have linked up.

Foy is four years into a ten-year sentence for various crimes including aggravated burglary, grievous bodily harm, and racially aggravated intentional harassment.

The 35-year-old convict ditched work at about 5.15pm and five hours later when his shift ended at 10.30pm he hadn’t returned.

SWNS (Image: SWNS)

Gary Foy and Christopher Pike are on the run having absconded from an open prison.

Two days later it was discovered career burglar Christopher Pike, 39, had left the prison at around 9.30am.

Pike, formerly of Devizes, was jailed in 2020 after a 50-break-in crime spree lasting eight months and spanning six counties.

As previously reported, the prolific burglar was sentenced to five years and 10 months for four burglaries, and a further 49 burglaries were taken into consideration.

He had returned to burgling after being released halfway through a six year sentence, imposed for attempted robbery and burglary in 2013.

Foy was also a repeat offender, being jailed in 2018 after breaking into a couple’s home, violently attacking them, stealing a wallet, and using it to buy alcohol in a shop nearby.

Swindon Crown Court heard in the hearing in April 2020 that his thefts had all been committed during the day, when his victims were out of the house. He searched bedrooms for jewellery, occasionally using a pillowcase as a sack in which to stash his swag.

Christopher Pike. Photo: Wiltshire Police (Image: Wiltshire Police)

The court heard he had been photographed by a neighbour leaving one of the burgled houses and getting into a Renault Clio.

Prosecutor Hannah Squire said: “These are not random or opportunistic burglaries. There is clearly planning involved.”

The four break-ins with which he was charged were committed in Wiltshire and Hampshire.

On September 10, 2019, Pike smashed the window of a house in East Wellow, near Romsey, and stole jewellery that he later admitted selling on for £500. Just hours later he struck again, this time breaking into a house in nearby Awbridge, and taking jewellery from a bedroom. His DNA was found on a screwdriver left at the scene.

Catherine Walker, defending, said her client’s trouble began when he was moved from being supervised by probation officers in Swindon to those in the Chippenham area, where he was known by former associates to whom he owed debts.

Sending Christopher Pike to prison for five years and 10 months, Judge Peter Crabtree said: “You have an awful criminal record, including for dishonesty.”

Sussex police suspect Pike may have used trains to abscond to London, and he may continue to Liverpool.