'˜I was looking for my football' burglar insists

A man who carried out three burglaries with a 14-year-old accomplice has been sent to a young offender's institution for 18 months.
Judge Stuart BakerJudge Stuart Baker
Judge Stuart Baker

Kyle Alty, 18, of Clifton Place, Freckleton, used the excuse of “looking for his football” when confronted by suspicious neighbours, Preston Crown Court was told.

He pleaded guilty to the offences, during which he stole laptops and games consoles.

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Judge Stuart Baker said: “It didn’t involve a confrontation or wilful damage but it did involve an intrusion into somebody’s home, which is always a very unsettling experience.”

Prosecuting, Stephen Parker described thefts from a garage at Preston Old Road on April 11, a house on Bush Lane on April 26 and a house on Tarnbrick Avenue on June 15.

His first victim was in a home due to her ill health and age.

A second victim, who found Alty had got in through her kitchen door and stolen electrical goods, spotted him and another boy walking nearby with a holdall - after he was released on bail. She posted a picture of them on Facebook.

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Her male friend then went to the area to confront them. The duo fled, dropping the holdall, which contained goods stolen from the third house on Tarnbrick Avenue.

Defending, Daniel Harman, said: “This is a young man who has been in the grip of a cocaine addiction.”

A 14-year-old boy was given a referral order separately.