Blackburn town centre salon closed due to repeat burglaries

Talia Boardman told police the repeated attacks on her premises had caused her enormous stress and led to her closing the King William Street salon in the town centre.

Scott McKay, 47, of St George’s Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary at Talia’s Beauty Salon and theft of a till and takings, and also at No 6 Café and theft of a tablet and mobile phone.

He was jailed for 12 months and ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge on release.

Talia Boardman had to close her salon due to the break-ins (Image: Submit)

District Judge Alexandra Preston said both offences had involved small businesses.

“Your actions caused damage, loss, inconvenience and financial harm,” she said.

“The stress placed on the owner of one of the businesses has caused her to close down.

"The offences are made worse by your horrendous record for committing burglaries.”

Glenn Anderton, prosecuting, said a police officer saw McKay, who he knew, in King Street at about 8.30pm and went to speak to him.

He said: “The officer actually told him he looked well and the defendant said he hadn’t had a drink for four months.

“The officer then saw something inside his jacket and recovered the tablet and mobile phone.”

He said McKay was allowed to leave pending further enquiries, but later approached the officer and admitted the café burglary.

“He was identified from CCTV as being responsible for breaking into the hair salon in December,” Mr Anderton added.

Kimberley Morton, mitigating, said since his release from his latest prison sentence McKay had been engaging well with his probation officer.

“He is very disappointed with himself for these lapses,” said Miss Morton. “On one occasion someone he knew gave him some cocaine.

“Having had some he wanted more and he committed the offence at the café.”

McKay has previously been jailed in 2022 for breaking into the same salon.