Burglars who stole copper pipes flooded home (From York Press)

Burglars who stole copper pipes flooded home

8:25am Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

TWO burglars flooded a house in the Selby area after stealing copper piping and a water tank, which they then sold for only £40.

Kyle Gardner, 18, of Eversley Mount, Sherburn-in-Elmet, and Daniel James Barik, 25, from Woodlesford, Leeds, appeared before Selby Magistrates’ Court.

They pleaded guilty to burgling the house of a Sherburn woman who had recently died.

The court heard Barik approached Gardner and a third man, a youth who was not identified, on August 17 close to the Garden Lane property, and asked them if they wanted to make some money.

Sandra White, prosecuting, told the court that when the dead woman’s relatives returned to the house on August 19, they found a side door smashed, and flood damage to the building, caused by pipes and a boiler being ripped from the wall.

The court heard Gardner was given £7.50 by Barik for his part in the burglary, after they sold the piping and water cylinder for about £40.

Keith Haggarty, for Gardner, told the court his client had “foolishly” agreed to help Barik, and the decision could affect his career.

He said: “The humiliation of a criminal record would probably not prevent him going into the army, but would almost certainly delay him.

“This is going to be a big step back for them. It was a stupid decision in the first place to get involved, and he knows he has to live with the consequences.”

Damian Morrison, for Barik, said his client admitted being at the premises, but denied damaging the door. Barik was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, and pay court costs of £85.

Gardner was given a 12-week sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

Magistrate Angela Lewis told them: “We have heard a lot today about how you didn’t think. Well, it’s time you did.”

The youth had already been dealt with at a youth court hearing.