Sledgehammer bid to break into store

items inside but not managing to steal anything.

In February Walton and another man had broken into The Souk clothes shop in Haworth using a heavy metal grate to smash the front door open but left emptyhanded after the alarm sounded. He left a carrier bag behind with his DNA on the handles.

George Hazel-Owram, representing Walton, said his client’s record was poor but he had been out of trouble for nearly five years . He only returned to offending when he found himself in financial difficulties after losing work because employers were made aware of his record by police.

Soheil Khan, for Andrew, said the two men had been in Huddersfield looking for employment.

“He can’t offer any explanation why he did what he did, he says it was foolish and stupid.”

Walton, 36, of Leylands Lane, Keighley, admitted burglary and attempted burglary and was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years with a 12-month electronic curfew from 9pm to 6am, 15 rehabilitation activity days and 120 hours of unpaid work.

Andrew, 33, of Wakefield Avenue, Bradford, admitted attempted burglary and was sentenced to 11 months in prison suspended for two years, a ninemonth curfew from 9pm to 5am and ordered to carry out 120 of hours unpaid work.