Two burglars who loaded their vehicle with three boilers were foiled in their escape attempt after their Peugeot became stuck in the mud. Richard Rogerson, 41, and Lee Barnes, 35, tore the boilers from three new Miller homes on the Portside Village development, situated between South Bank and Grangetown, Teesside.
The hapless pair were caught after a security guard heard them frantically revving their engine on December 15 last year. The guard discovered one of the duo behind the wheel on Stone Road, while the other desperately attempted to push the car free from the mud, Teesside Crown Court was told.
Discovery of the Stolen Boilers
The pair informed the security guard that they would return to retrieve their vehicle before walking off, prosecutor Cainan Lonsdale told the court. The guard then conducted checks on properties across the estate, where he discovered that the patio doors of three homes had been smashed "and the boilers removed from the walls."
The guard subsequently found the boilers loaded in the boot of the red Peugeot, and "noticed the licence plates had been taped up and there was gaffer tape in the glove box," Mr Lonsdale said. All three properties had been sold to a property developer and were ready for occupation. The cost of repairs to the newly-built homes totalled £6,000, reports Teesside Live.
Court Proceedings and Sentences
DNA obtained from blood found at the properties was matched to both burglars, the court heard on Tuesday. Both men admitted three counts of burglary at an earlier hearing. In Rogerson's case, Martin Scarborough informed the court that his client has "accepted full responsibility".
Mr Scarborough said: "In the past, he's had difficulties with homelessness after a relationship breakdown. He's now secured accommodation in Blackhall Colliery." Rogerson "has contact with his two children", the defence solicitor added.
Jordan Parkinson told the court that Barnes had been enduring "a hard time" following his parents falling ill. "He began taking cocaine and diazepam," the defence barrister said. "Since his arrest, he's stopped taking drugs, except cannabis for anxiety. He sees his children, his third child is due in January, and he now has a stable address with his partner."
Judge David Brooke noted that Rogerson had previously received a 32-month custodial sentence in 2019 for burglary. Barnes, by contrast, has two previous convictions for shop theft. The judge advised Barnes that "given the fact that you've not been in a huge amount of trouble before" he could draw back from an immediate custodial sentence.
Barnes, of The Crescent in Blackhall Colliery, received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also placed on a tagged curfew, requiring him to be at home by 9pm each evening for the following three months. Rogerson, of Tenth Street, Blackhall Colliery, was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
