A pair of bungling burglars were caught red-handed when they hung around to eat crisps after smashing their way into a Newcastle pub.
Gary Pickering, 37, of North Parade, Whitley Bay, and Dean Adamson, 36, of Joseph Terrace, Chopwell, Gateshead, each admitted a charge of non-dwelling burglary when they appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 13th May 2021.
Adamson also admitted a charge of shop theft.
Non-dwelling burglary, as in this case, is an offence under section 9 of the Theft Act 1968. It has a maximum sentence of 26 weeks' custody on summary conviction or 10 years' custody on conviction on indictment.
Magistrates heard that the dynamic duo used a brick to smash their way through a reinforced glass window at The High Main public house on Shields Road, Byker, in the early hours of Wednesday, 12th May 2021.
An alarm was activated, but unperturbed the pair clambered through the window into the bar area, where they proceeded to load up a bag with bottles of alcohol.
Clearly having worked up a thirst, the pair decided to pour themselves a drink and snack on crisps, which meant they were still on the premises when police arrived a short time later.
Stewart Haywood, prosecuting, outlined the circumstances: "Upon their arrival at the scene, officers noticed a window had been broken and the alarm was still activated.
"The defendants were observed within the pub crouching next to the bar area.
"While they were in the premises, they had bagged various bottles of alcohol.
"Some bottles were unopened, some were damaged and some had been opened and drank from."
Mr Haywood said that £3,000 worth of damage was caused to the window. Further damage had been caused to partitions installed to allow social distancing.
In relation to Adamson's shop theft, Magistrates heard that on Monday, 26th April 2021, whilst collecting his methadone prescription, he took the opportunity to steal four mobile phone chargers from the Medicentre Chemist on St George's Terrace, Jesmond.
He returned one of the chargers the following day.
Richard Rodgers, mitigating for Pickering, said that the burglary had been committed on impulse because his client "was hungry".
"He picked up a brick as he walked past the pub and threw it through the window," Mr Rodgers said.
"He was more hungry than anything else and went in to eat some food and have something to drink."
Ian Wilson, mitigating for Adamson, said: "They have gone in to eat crisps. There was some drink consumed.
"When they realise the police are on their way, they open some bottles of alcohol and drink it."
Magistrates were of the view that their sentencing powers were insufficient for the offences in hands.
They remanded the pair in custody, for their sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, 10th June 2021.
No comments:
Post a Comment