THREE criminals involved in an audacious bid to burgle a motorcycle dealership have been jailed.

John Alan Peart, 44, Billy-joe Young, 33, and 36-year-old David Martin Ainsworth targeted Triple D Motorsport in Kendal, Cumbria, late on June 29 in an apparent attempt to steal high value bikes.

However, Carlisle Crown Court heard the trio bungled their raid, twice triggering an alarm which led to police arriving and detaining them close to the crime scene.

Prosecutor Francis McEntee said: "The Crown would say this was a burglary which was expertly planned, expertly resourced but incompetently executed."

An alarm at the Mintsfeet industrial estate premises had first sounded at around 10-30pm. It was suggested by the business boss that the system simply be reset. But when it was triggered again at 1-45am police attended.

They found sophisticated tools had been used to cut through a wooden fire door and metal security gate. Attempts had been made to cover a CCTV camera, the main power supply was cut and an external alarm box was smashed.

In addition, an angle grinder and parts, along with a ladder, were located while parked close by was a van which no-one had since claimed.

"The Crown would say this was clearly the means whereby the motorcycles...were to be taken from the premises," said Mr McEntee.

Peart, Young and Ainsworth had tried to hide but were detained "after a pursuit".

Damage of almost £5,000 was caused to the business, bringing "considerable disruption".

All three Lancashire-based defendants pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal.

Sarah Magill, defending heavily-convicted Ainsworth, said he was "on the breadline" at the time of the burglary and needed money. He had been "on a conveyor belt of criminal offending" since the age of 16.

Peart and Young also had previous convictions but latterly had settled down with respective partners. Defending both men, barrister Greg Hoare spoke of Peart being "monumentally stupid" for turning back to crime, while Young "bitterly"

regretted his involvement.

Ainsworth, of Mill Street, Padiham, was jailed for two years. Peart, of Duncan Square, and Young, of Union Road, both Oswaldtwistle, received immediate 18-month terms.

"That you were seeking to get these items (motorcycles) seems to me beyond doubt," they were told by Recorder John Corless.