Blackpool skip firm burglar's great escape foiled

A burglar tried to make a great escape on a motorbike when he was caught carrying out a break-in at a Blackpool skip hire complex.
Preston Crown CourtPreston Crown Court
Preston Crown Court

Lee Connolly fell off the bike and hit the ground after a staff member at Owen Baguley Skip Hire, in Chapel Road, grabbed at him.

Described as a ‘prolific offender’ in court, with previous convictions for burglary, Connolly was said to have battled an addiction to heroin for many years.

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Connolly, 42, of Mayfair Road, Marton, pleaded guilty to an offence of burglary.

He appeared at court in a wheelchair after being knocked off his motorbike in an accident after the burglary, in which he suffered severe injuries to both of his legs.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said staff arriving for work at Baguley’s saw the entrance gate in the perimeter fence open on February 13 at 7.45am.

The lock of one of the warehouses, which contained equipment and scrap metal, was damaged and a number of tools had been boxed up inside, she told the court.

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The prosecutor added that Connolly appeared and told one of the staff who challenged him: “I’m taking some thing, then going.”

He jumped on his motorbike but fell off when the staff member grabbed him.

As he fell, one of the Baguley’s worker’s mobile phones fell out of his jacket and was damaged.

Brett Chappell, defending, said the main cause of his client’s offending was that he has been addicted to heroin.

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Connolly’s partner had died three years ago and he suffered severe depression as he could not get over the death.

His heroin use had started to creep back. He had now gone voluntarily back to drug specialists for help.

He was bailed to appear for sentence at Preston Crown Court on August 3 by Blackpool magistrates.

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