South Shields burglar fell from roof trying to hide from police - court claims he's 'useless' criminal

A "stupid" burglar landed himself in hospital when he fell from roof rafters while trying to hide from the police.

Jonathon Millett and Harry Wilson triggered alarms when they broke into the Brinkburn Community centre in South Shields, South Tyneside on February 27, through a flat roof.

Millett ‘lost his balance’

Newcastle Crown Court heard when police arrived the pair, who had tools with them, tried to hide by lying across copper piping in the rafters but Millett lost his balance, fell and injured his head.

His own barrister today said Millett, who was taken to hospital then had the use of a wheelchair for the police station, is "dreadful at crime".

Prosecutor Stuart Graham told the court two workers had attended the centre after a report of an alarm activation in the late evening.

They were unable to see any intruders or damage and so started to leave when they were alerted that the alarm had been set off again.

Mr Graham said they went back into the building, heard a loud bang and added: "Believing persons may have gained access via the roof, quite understandably they closed the door and used a bar to keep it closed while the police were called.

"In fact, access had been gained by the roof.

"Officers arrived and entered the boiler room. The lights were turned on and the defendants were seen to try and hide themselves in the rafters by lying, unsuccessfully, across copper piping.

"Millett fell down from the roof rafters and injured his head. Wilson climbed down. They were both arrested."

Defendant is ‘useless at crime’

The court heard investigations revealed the pair had got into the building from a flat room then climbed into the boiler room.

A set of doors were damaged during the raid, leading to a £2,000 bill.

Millett, 29, of Cooks Close, Simonside, and Wilson, 32, of Eaglesfield Road, both South Shields, both admitted burglary.

Robin Patton, defending Millett, who has five convictions on his record, said a door broken during the raid was already "rotten" and added: "He took nothing from the burglary apart from a trip to hospital.

"He tried to hide in the rafter, was unable to balance properly and fell onto the ground, causing himself a facial injury. He then had the benefit of a wheelchair to get into the police station, where he was taken to next from the hospital.

"He is dreadful at crime, he is useless at it."

Jason Smith, defending Wilson, who has 28 offences on his record, said he has no previous burglary convictions, is a father and has a background of problems with substance abuse, which he had already started to address.

Recorder Caroline Sellars said Millett's only mitigation was "stupidity and making rash decisions" and sentenced him to 20 weeks, suspended for nine months, with rehabilitation requirements.

Wilson, who has a history of not complying with court orders, was jailed for six months.