Trio with 125 offences between them jailed for 'sneaking about in the night to nick people's cannabis'  

THREE men with 125 offences between them were caught "sneaking about in the middle of the night" after becoming involved in a "grubby" burglary aimed at stealing cannabis being grown there.

Some of the intruders were disguised in balaclavas during the raid, which was foiled by the police, a court heard.

Kiel Jagger, 28, of Cheshire Walk, Grimsby; Peter Atkins, 24, of Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes; and Luke Blake, 27, of Amcott Road, Grimsby, admitted burglary with intent to steal on December 30.

Stephen Welch, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that police were alerted that four men, some of them wearing balaclavas, were apparently breaking into a house.

Blake, who was not wearing a balaclava, was detained near the premises in Newton Grove, Grimsby.

Panels had been smashed in the kitchen and a figure was seen inside wearing a balaclava. Atkins was later arrested.

Jagger was also arrested inside the premises. He was not wearing a balaclava.

The fourth man said to have been involved was not in court.

Cannabis plants and growing equipment were found inside the house.

Jagger had convictions for 37 offences, Atkins for 33 and Blake for 55. Jagger has been given two antisocial behaviour orders in the past, the first of which was in 2004.

Craig Lowe, mitigating, said father-of-three Jagger had served short custodial sentences in 2004 and 2010 for driving matters but had no convictions for burglary. He had been out of trouble for nearly three years and admitted the offence was "stupid". He was ashamed and was determined not to reoffend.

Megan Rhys, representing Atkins, said her client was asked to become involved and was under the influence of illegal substances at the time.

He had a bad record and had served custodial sentences. He was released from prison in April and had been going through a difficult time.

Andrew Bailey, representing father-of-four Blake, said nothing was stolen during the burglary.

Blake had a bad record for dishonesty but had no previous convictions for burglary. He claimed he was the lookout, rather than actually going inside the premises.

Judge Mark Bury told the court: "This was all about drugs. Inside this house was a cannabis grow and you were intent on removing it or some of it.

"It was grubby behaviour, sneaking about in the middle of the night, nicking people's cannabis."

All three men were jailed for a year.

http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk 17/03/2014