Winsford Church Burglar Jailed

A Winsford man has been jailed after committing a string of burglaries in the town, including two at the same church.

David McElligott, 43, of Granville Square, Winsford, admitted three charges of non-dwelling burglary when he appeared via videolink at Warrington Magistrates' Court on 6th June 2020.

McElligott stole a large quantity of tattooing equipment when he broke into Winford's Twisted Inked tattoo parlour in the early hours of Wednesday, 26th February. He was subsequently identified as the culprit from the CCTV footage and on Tuesday, 17th March he was arrested, charged and released on conditional bail.

On Tuesday, 7th April, whilst still on bail for the earlier burglary, McElligott broke into The Salvation Army church on the town's Weaver Street and stole a small amount of cash.

On Friday, 10th April, McElligott unsuccessfully attempted to steal a laptop from a kitchen worktops business on the town's Bradford Road. He was disturbed by the police and managed to flee the scene.

On Saturday, 6th June he broke into The Red Lion pub on the town's Wharton Street before returning to The Salvation Army church for a second time. McElligott stole a small quantity of cash and alcohol from The Red Lion, but left the church empty-handed on that occasion.

CCTV footage established that McElligott was responsible for the two burglary offences on Saturday, 6th June.

He was arrested at his home on Sunday, 7th June, and when questioned in custody McElligott admitted committing all of the burglaries mentioned.

McElligott was sentenced to 12 months' custody and ordered to pay £85 costs and £149 victim surcharge. That is the maximum sentence available to the court.

Cheshire Police's Detective Constable Mark Sherratt, who led the investigation, said: "Burglary is a serious offence.

"As well as stealing a large quantity of tattooing equipment and small quantities of cash and alcohol during his crime spree, McElligott caused damage to all the buildings he targeted.

"But what makes his offending particularly repellent is the fact that he twice targeted a church and committed four of the burglaries whilst on conditional bail.

"I am delighted that this persistent burglar is now behind bars facing the consequences of his actions and I hope that this case deters others from committing similar offences."