Thief spotted breaking into Pendle Community Hospital

Paul Bradshaw claimed he targeted Pendle Community Hospital because he had been banned from town centre shops.

Bradshaw, who was rumbled after a passer-by saw him and called police, had a chisel on him. He told officers he was going to meet his mother and brother, had the chisel on him for work for a friend and had not used it to get into the premises, Burnley Crown Court was told.

The defendant (32), of Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, has a record including 27 theft and related offences, starting in 1996. He admitted burglary with intent to steal and going equipped for burglary last June. He received 36 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, with 12 months supervision, 250 hours unpaid work, a two-month 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew and the Thinking Skills programme

Mr Julian Taylor (prosecuting) said a witness walking past the hospital at midday saw the defendant opening a staff door, which was locked by a pin code. Bradshaw went into the premises.

Two police officers attended and found the defendant leaving the hospital. He was searched and the chisel was found. Bradshaw was arrested. The defendant had a record for burglary.

Mr Daniel Thomas, for Bradshaw, said he had worked hard to get where he was and was at great risk of losing it because of two stupid mistakes. He added: “He has tried to right himself and get himself on a proper path.”