Country thefts land two in court

Nov 25 2009 The Journal

TWO men have appeared in court after a series of rural burglaries across the region.

Separated by a security guard, Patrick Michael Carlin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

James Joseph Faley pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary at Newcastle Crown Court.

Both dressed in grey, 43-year-old Carlin, of Moorside Court, Fenham, Newcastle, and Faley were told they faced jail by the judge yesterday.

Faley broke into a cottage in Rowlands Gill, County Durham, on June 19, stealing a purse, wallet, two debit cards, a Barclay card, a Marks & Spencer card and £50 cash.

On July 1, Faley raided a farmhouse, in Stamfordham, Northumberland, stealing a number of debit and credit cards, a Nintendo Wii, a driving licence and a marriage certificate.

He also was charged with entering a coach house in Lowick, Cumbria, with intent to steal, on June 29.

The 45-year-old, of Cheeseburn Gardens, Fenham, Newcastle, was given conditional bail.

Carlin, who was accused of handling stolen goods between June 10 and July 3, was detained in custody as he had been recalled to serve the remainder of a three-year prison sentence.

Recorder Andrew Dallas adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports.

He said: “The fact that I’m calling for pre-sentence reports is not to be taken by either of you as an indication of the likely sentence.

“The court will obviously be looking at custody in both cases.”