Man sentenced for bike burglary spree

Lee Hetherington was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court

A burglar who targeted three homes during a one-night spree with a friend has been sentenced.

John Taylor and Lee Hetherington, both 26, stole two bikes worth about £2,300 and damaged various properties in Gosforth on 8 July, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

One victim, whose garage door the pair damaged in a failed attempt to get in, said the "intrusion" had caused great "sadness and anxiety".

Both men admitted offences including burglary and attempted burglary, with Hetherington getting a suspended prison sentence. Taylor's sentencing was adjourned for six months to give him a chance to comply with an existing court order.

The pair, both of Denmark Street in Gateshead, first targeted a home on Lodore Road at about 20:20 BST, trying to open a porch door to get to bikes, prosecutor Neil Jones said.

A woman who lived there alone saw them looking through her windows on her CCTV and trying the door handle before leaving.

'Sadness and anxiety'

At 21:00, a couple on holiday in Scotland got a notification to say the alarm and CCTV had been triggered at their home on Woodbine Road, the court heard.

They spoke to the burglars through their camera system and the men fled, but not before damaging the garage door and frame, Mr Jones said.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said she and her partner had to cut their holiday short because of the attempted break in.

She said they "worked hard" and "spent a lot of time and effort" making their home something to be "proud of" which the burglars had "spoilt".

"Our sadness and anxiety resulting from their intrusion has had a big impact on us both," she said, adding they had invested in more security and were "reluctant" to leave their home again.

Aftershave theft

About 45 minutes later, the men forced their way into a garage on Rectory Terrace, Gosforth, and stole two bikes, one worth £700 and the other £1,600, the court heard.

Taylor also admitted smashing his way into the Savers store on Jackson Street, Gateshead, on 16 November last year and stealing almost £2,200 of aftershave.

In mitigation, the court heard both men were addicted to drugs.

Hetherington was jailed for a year suspended for 21 months, with 100 hours unpaid work.

Taylor will be sentenced in April 2025, after Judge Sarah Mallett said he would be given the chance to work with the probation service on an existing court order.