Burgling trio stole war medals and X-Box from Burnley home

Stuart Brown, 45, was helped by Aaron Scott, 30 and Robert Howarth, 53, when they broke into the Burnley property at around 8.10pm on April 16 while the occupier was at work.

Preston Crown Court heard how the trio’s victim had left his house in Plumbe Street that morning and returned at around 10pm.

Aaron Scott (Image: Lancs Police)

Prosecuting, Sarah Gruffydd said: “When he returned home, he found his front door had been damaged and left insecure, and when he entered the property, he noticed items were missing.

“Two TV sets had been taken, an X-Box, five war medals and an army issue watch which belonged to his late father.

“A neighbour had witnessed the incident and had reported it to the police, and CCTV also showed three men outside the front door. One of the men shouted ‘police’ and kicked the door open.

Stuart Brown (Image: Lancs Police)

“All three then entered and left a short time later.

“Officers were able to identify Brown as being the man who kicked open the front door and fingerprints were recovered from the scene belonging to Scott.

“On May 11, an officer was in the vicinity of Plumbe Street and spoke with a group of men, of which Howarth was one.

“He provided a false name but the officer, by chance, had seen the CCTV from the burglary and recognised him as the third man.

“He was arrested and eventually gave the officer his real name.”

Robert Howarth (Image: Lancs Police)

All three men were interviewed and gave no comment, but all later pleaded guilty to burglary.

District Judge Graham Jones said: “You entered that property by kicking the front door in and shouting ‘police’, in the hope that those in the neighbourhood would be reassured that you were acting lawfully, but it became clear that you were there to see what items you could take from the house.

“You took those items and they have still not been recovered. That was a taking of items that can’t be valued and had sentimental value to the owner.”

Brown, of Albert Street, Burnley, was jailed for two years and eight months.

Scott, of Tay Street, Burnley, was jailed for two years and two months.

Howarth, of Oxford Road, Burnley, was jailed for 18 months.