High value break-ins were linked to organised crime

A member of a housebreaking gang that targeted Lanarkshire homes was extradited from Australia to face justice.

Michael Connors was arrested and brought back to Scotland after missing a court hearing here.

We told you previously that the gang’s spate of break-ins included one in which jewellery and clothing worth £65,000 was stolen.

The 22-year-old and a co-accused were sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday.

Michael Connors, of Dublin, admitted breaking into a house in Birkdale Wood, Cumbernauld, and one inwindermere Gardens, Hamilton.

James Connors, 23, also of Dublin, admitted involvement in a raid on a property in Dunlin, East Kilbride.

The men admitted acting with others and that the break-ins were aggravated by a connection to serious organised crime.

The crimes were committed in January 2018 and were part of a series of high value housebreakings across the west of Scotland that began the previous year.

Referring to the Cumbernauld raid, prosecutor Chloe O’hara said the householder returned home about 10.30pm to find patio doors had been smashed and rooms ransacked.

Stolen items included jewellery and handbags, and the estimated total value was £65,000. Only about £20,000 worth was recovered.

A similar break-in occurred at a house in Windermere Gardens, Hamilton, a week later.

This time the value of goods stolen was around £27,000 and nothing was recovered.

Ms O’hara also described how a house in Dunlin, East Kilbride, was targeted on the same day as the Hamilton raid.

She told the court:“a neighbour heard an alarm go off about 6.15pm.

“She saw four persons, all dressed in black and wearing balaclavas and baseball caps, come out from the side of a house and enter a vehicle that sped off.”

Again, bags and jewellery were stolen.

The value of the haul was £1700 and only items worth £400 were recovered.

The two accused were traced to a hotel and“numerous” handbags were found in a room there.

Police also seized a handwritten list containing addresses they believed were being targeted by the gang.

The two accused claimed they were offered a free holiday in Scotland and it was only later they were told they would have to play a part in the break-ins to pay their way.

Michael Connors’s lawyer said that after being bailed he went to Australia to work and missed a court hearing.

He was arrested in Australia in November 2020 and extradited to Scotland in June last year.

The solicitor added:“he has been in custody for 15 months and it has affected his mental health.”

James Connors’s lawyer said he has been held in prison since May last year.

Neither man has previous convictions and each is married with a child.

Their solicitors said they are keen to return to Ireland and put their offending behind them.

Sheriff Andrew Mcintyre said the men were“part of an organised criminal enterprise”, but he had to take account of their youth and the time already spent in custody.

Michael Connors was jailed for 20 months and James Connors for 10 months.

The sentences were backdated, meaning their immediate release.