Three teens who filmed burglary plans plead guilty

THREE teenagers filmed themselves on a mobile phone planning a burglary before entering a pensioner’s house, a court heard.

The youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, entered the property on Cross Street in Clayton-le-Moors on August 13 and tried to steal gold chains worth around £1,000 from 74-year-old victim Norman O’Brian.

Prosecutor Jeremy Grout-Smith said the Crown Prosecution Service cannot state which of the defendants tried to take the chains.

Two of the youths pleaded guilty to burglary after being sent to Burnley Crown Court under the ‘grave crime’ provisions.

A third defendant pleaded guilty at an earlier magistrates court hearing to the Cross Street burglary.

He also pleaded guilty to two other burglaries at Blackburn Road in Great Harwood on September 4 and on Alexandra Close in Clayton-le-Moors on August 2 where electronic equipment worth £379.99 was stolen.

The teenager also admitted handling a stolen bank card in Altham on August 17 and possessing cannabis in Accrington on September 19.

Peter Warne, defending one of the youths, told the court: “The primary evidence against the defendants is the fact that they were outside the address talking on the [mobile phone] footage about going into the address. It’s obvious it was planned.”

Daniel Prowse, representing another youth, said: “Once the burglary was taking place [the victim] was approached by one of the group who tried to snatch the gold chains from him but failed.”

Judge Sara Dodd adjourned sentence to December 12 for presentence reports to be prepared.

She said: “You have pleaded guilty to a very serious matter. I’m not going to deal with you today. You will be dealt with by another judge when you come back to court on December 12.

“It’s very important that you cooperate with the people preparing the report. The judge will need all the information contained in that report.”