Prolific Burnley burglars sold stolen items at their house

At the house in Springfield Road they sold burgled goods, including mobile phones, laptops and gardening equipment as well as nearly-new convertible cars for just £300.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Eric Halson, 25, and Joshua Bonney, 18, worked as a team, raiding family homes in the Burnley, Rossendale and Todmorden areas.

Each have now been jailed for three years and nine months.

They were caught out because undercover police were among their customers.

On numerous occasions, the court was told, the pair broke into homes while their victims slept, stealing keys and driving off with their vehicles.

They then sold the cars for between £300 and £400 each.

Halson’s home was used as an illegal shop, where not only the proceeds of their burglaries, but gardening equipment and bikes stolen from shed break-ins were sold from his front room.

Local youths also set up shop there, selling off stolen hauls.

When Bonney was arrested he led officers on a 70mph police chase through Burnley Wood at 11am, with several young male passengers in a stolen vehicle which contained a lot of DJ equipment.

He crashed into another car, injured a pedestrian who had to leap out of the way and wrote off the vehicle he was driving.

After he was arrested, police found 27 cannabis plants growing in his attic.

Halson, of Springfield Road, Burnley, had admitted five burglaries, five thefts of vehicles and handling stolen goods.

Bonney, of Piccadilly Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to six burglaries, five car thefts, dangerous driving and allowing premises to be used for cannabis production.

He was banned for a year and must take an extended driving test.

Both men also admitted committing a further 30 burglaries between them which have been taken into consideration.

Both Halson and Bonney targeted homes between September and December 2010, stealing cars including a Vauxhall Corsa, a Renault Megane, a Renault Traffic van, a Nissan Micra and a Citroen C5, along with laptops, mobile phones, iPods and other expensive electrical items.

Det Sgt Pauline Tyrell said: “Both Halson and Bonney are prolific burglars who were intent on stealing high value and personal items.

"They targeted people’s homes whilst they slept and showed a total disregard for their victims and the financial and emotional impact burglary has on people.

“Inquiries carried out as part of Operation Loreley showed that many offenders target insecure homes and cars, simply by trying door handles and I urge people to make sure their doors remain locked and secure, particularly overnight.”

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said undercover police were carrying out an operation in Burnley between last October and December and two officers infiltrated various criminal networks and got friendly with the defendants.

She said: “Halson and Bonney targeted insecure houses at night.

"Every single one was occupied and children were in bed, but victims were mostly not disturbed.

"The properties were picked predominantly for the cars parked outside, but whilst in the houses getting the keys, the pair also helped themselves to expensive items such as laptops and mobile phones.”

Miss Statham said the cars were driven back to Burnley and sold to the undercover police for between £300 and £400.

Halson was the broker, ringing the police the morning after the thefts, showing the vehicles off and taking the cash.

The prosecutor said the defendants were arrested on March 1.

Halson had convictions for burglary and possessing drugs and Bonney had a record for burglary.

Kevin Preston, for Halson, said: “One wonders if he would have been as prolific as he was if there had not been a ready market for the goods taken.”

For Bonney, Mark Stuart said at the time he and his girlfriend had been living in wholly unsuitable accommodation on Leyland Road, Burnley.

There had been no gas, electricity or furniture, she had become pregnant, the defendant had no job, wasn't getting benefits, was vulnerable and the couple were living hand to mouth.