AN investigation into suspected burglaries uncovered two stolen dumper trucks worth just under £20,000, a court heard.

Police were called to Shawclough Farm, in Shawclough Road, Waterfoot, in September 2013, while probing a series of break-ins, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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Prosecutor Emma Kehoe said their attention was drawn to a number of lock-up garages in and around the site, where Robert Howorth lived in a static caravan. Once the garages were unlocked, the court heard, Two dumper trucks, both manufactured by Thwaites, were found inside that which turned out to be stolen.

Interviewed by police later he told officers that he had a genuine business where he hired out high-value plant equipment and he initially thought the dumper trucks were ‘legitimate’.

He maintained the same explanation despite further questioning Howorth, of Shawclough Road, admitted two offences of handling stolen goods and possessing article for use in fraud.

Recorder Andrew Long gave him a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and fined him £2,400.