TWO men who sought assistance at the home of a police inspector after their car broke down later returned and broke into his garage.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the 18-year-old daughter of Insp Stuart Coates had taken Wesley Mark Bolan and Michael Melvin Hartley into the garage to look for oil.

When they saw her leave later the same day the two men returned and stole property worth £750 from the garage.

Bolan, 22, of Levens Street, Ribbleton, and Hartley, 24, of Grizedale Crescent, Ribbleton, both Preston, pleaded guilty to burglary in a non-dwelling.

Bolan also pleaded guilty to burglary at a house in Osbaldeston Lane, Osbaldeston, in which property worth £8,600 was stolen. He asked for 10 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Both men were committed in custody to Preston Crown Court for sentence.

Neil Standage, prosecuting, said Bolan had admitted other offences after being arrested.

The property taken in the Osbaldeston burglary had been removed on three separate visits.

Jonathon Taylor, defending, said the car breakdown had been genuine and they had needed oil.

Bolan had returned to the garage and removed the property and Hartley helped him load it into the car.

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