Golf club burglars jailed

Mr Adlington said three men were responsible, having arrived in Broadhurst’s Toyota Avensis which was found with false number plates. Broadhurst was caught at the scene, Collins ran off but was chased and arrested while the third man got away.

The court heard Broadhurst had 57 convictions for 24 offences on his record including previous for burglaries while Collins had 20 convictions for 10 offences, none for burglary but was under a suspended sentence for dangerous driving at the time of the break-in.

Narinder Rathour, for Broadhurst, said while he was realistic and expected a prison term the damage caused was not necessarily a significant loss to the club since it was only “the annual subscription at some golf courses’.’

He had recently suffered the traumatic loss of his father who had been paralysed for two years following a work’s accident.

Richard Holland, for Collins, said he had completed all the unpaid work hours imposed under his suspended sentence and hoped that would be taken into account.

Broadhurst, 32, of Dean Hall Close, Morley, was jailed for 18 months after admitting burglary with intent at the golf club

Collins, 29 of Stanhope Road, Leeds, was jailed for 22 months after admitting burglary with intent and breaching the suspended sentence.

Jailing them, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, said: “A considerable amount of damage was done and you admitted the intention was to take things away for your own benefit.”

He said Mr Rathour had argued the £3,500 damage caused was not significant compared with the cost people have to pay to belong to clubs.

But the judge said: “I disagree, it is significant damage.’’