A ‘hired hand’ was recruited to take part in a well-planned professional break-in at a wholesale warehouse, a court was told.

Daniel Dodgson claimed he did know what the target was to be when he was driven in a car from the Leeds area to County Durham on the night of March 1 this year.

But, Durham Crown Court was told it was only on arrival at the Drum Industrial Estate, on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street, where they met a van carrying accomplices, that he learned he was to assist in a break-in at Batley’s cash and carry warehouse.

Christopher Bevan, prosecuting, said in the early hours on March 2 the alarm company monitoring the site informed the general manager of Batley’s that two males used tools to make a hole in the exterior wall and made off with tobacco products.

Read more: Leeds man admits burglary at County Durham cash and carry warehouse

On attending the premises, the general manager observed a hole having been cut in the external metal sheeting and breeze blocks behind that were smashed to create a hole.

Mr Bevan said examination of cctv showed that the intruders used a full-length ladder to climb onto the outside of the building.

They appeared to have removed other cctv cameras, while footage taken from internal devices picked up sparks from an outside wall, and unidentified men entering before going to a storage area where high-value products were kept.

An inventory confirmed 768 units of tobacco products, plus another trolley of cigarettes, worth a total of £60,421, were taken.

When police attended forensic specialists noticed a drop of blood where the metal sheeting was cut.

Analysis gave a match to the dna profile of the defendant, but it was not until July 3 that he was arrested for burglary, having been pulled over in a vehicle in the Nottingham area.

Read more: County Durham man returned home to discover burglary

Dodgson, 34, of Kensington Way, Leeds, who previously admitted the Batley’s burglary, was said to have three past convictions for nine offences, including aggravated vehicle theft in 2017.

Sean Smith, in mitigation, said the near two months the defendant has been on remand in custody in HMP Durham was his first experience of custody.

Mr Smith said the defendant had worked all of his life until the death of his mother, for whom he had helped to care.

“His life spiralled somewhat out of control somewhat and at a time he had bills to pay he was offered ‘employment’ on the evening in question.

“Having pleaded guilty he was open, full of regret and remorse, and he said his failures to respond to previous probation orders was linked to his inability to deal with the loss of his mother.

“He says he holds his hands up over this offence and maintains he acted at a relatively low-level, having been approached by so-called friends who knew he was down and out at the time, having not been able to hold down full-time work since the loss of his mother.”

Mr Smith said that having spent the first time in his life in prison, the defendant wants to work with young offenders to ensure they don’t make the same mistakes he has made.

He added that Dodgson has been working as a kitchen supervisor while on remand and has a full-time job offer upon his release.

Recorder Tom Moran told the defendant he seems to have been, “very much affected by your first taste of custody” and noted he had no relevant offending history for burglary.

He said he would give him the “benefit of the doubt” accepting he played a lesser role in the planning and agreed to suspend the 12-month prison sentence for 18 months.

During that time, however, the defendant must undertake 14 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service and comply with a 12-month alcohol treatment programme.

Proceeds of crime inquiries were put in motion to see what can be confiscated from the defendant to compensate Batley’s, with a hearing scheduled in January.

Read next:

               Durham drug user breached court order by touting door-to-door for work

               Man admits burglary attempts at Horden and Peterlee clubs earlier this year

               Future of Durham city restaurant 'left in jeopardy' after burglary

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