Man sentenced over music hall burglaries

Settle Victoria Hall has been burgled seven times since last month, police said

A man has been charged over several burglaries at the "world's oldest" surviving music hall.

Settle Victoria Hall had been broken into seven times since 24 September, police said, with cash and stock stolen.

Wayne Harvey, 35, of no fixed address, appeared at York Magistrates' Court on Monday, charged with burglary.

Harvey was given a community order which includes 20 days of rehabilitation activity and ordered to pay £180 compensation.

Insp Julie Earnshaw, from North Yorkshire Police, said the arrest had been a "fantastic result" for Victoria Hall, after it had been "repeatedly targeted".

"The offender targeted the office, stealing the takings from shows, making a huge impact on the small venue," she added.

Victoria Hall is a Grade II listed building and opened as a music hall in 1853, five years before Wiltons' Music Hall in London.

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