Binchester burglar who stole to buy food is jailed

Ryan Michael Woodley could not afford food for him or his fiancée so resorted to burglary, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe were told today. (October 31)

Prosecutor Claire Brinton said the 20-year-old has a history of burglary and last November was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months after being convicted of breaking into a shed.

Woodley was back in court today, where he admitted a new offence of breaking into a shed on Granville Terrace, in Binchester, near Bishop Auckland, and stealing bikes sometime between September 20 and 28.

He also admitted breaching the suspended prison sentence order by missing appointments with the probation service.

Ms Brinton said three bikes were taken, two BMXs belonging to children valued at £300 each and an adult’s mountain bike worth £2,000, but Woodley said he only took the children’s bikes.

A farmer found them in a nearby field and they have since been returned to the children, the court heard.

Woodley told police that he regretted taking the children’s bikes and intended to return them, but when he went back to the field where he dumped them they had gone.

Woodley, who gave his address as Granville Terrace, in Binchester, also asked for another shed break-in on the same street to be taken into account, when he cut 20 feet of wire from a lawn mower to sell for scrap.

Jonathan Harley representing Woodley insisted the latest burglaries were caused by desperation.

He said Woodley has been effectively homeless since he was 13 and has been living on the streets with his fiancée.

Mr Harley said Woodley’s fiancée suffers from a serious heart problem and needs to keep healthy, and that at the time of the offences they had no money for food.

Magistrates sent him to prison for 12 weeks for breaching his suspended prison sentence and a further 18 weeks to be served consecutively for the new burglaries.