Burglar avoids jail after skip firm break-in

A burglar who targeted a skip firm ended up confined to a wheelchair since the break in, a court was told.

Lee Connolly, 43, of Mayfair Road, Marton, was caught by security staff inside the grounds of Baguley Skip Hire at the SB Waste Management complex on Chapel Road Blackpool, on February 13, Preston Crown Court was told.

Connolly had to be assisted into the court dock as he now had to use a wheelchair.

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Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said a security guard had noticed locks to the premises had been broken when he arrived at 7.45am.

He said: “ He saw one of the garage doors was open. He saw the lock was damaged. The defendant was inside. He asked what he was doing and the defendant, described as being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, replied: ‘I’ve taken some things then I’m going’.

“The guard asked him to stay where he was.”

The court was told Connolly tried to flee but was grabbed. The guard saw two phones fall from Connolly’s pocket, one of which belonged to a member of staff.

Staff found a box had been filled with tools and metal, and believed Connolly was intending to steal it.

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The court heard Connolly, who has 36 convictions for 111 offences, denied the break in, saying the gates to the site were already open.

He later pleaded guilty to burglary.

He was given an eight-month sentence suspended for two years by Judge Andrew Woolman, who also imposed a 20 day rehabilitation order.