Burglar took TV and bag as Stoke pub landlady slept
PROLIFIC burglar James Corcoran left a pub landlady terrified after breaking into the venue as she slept.
The 32-year-old entered the living quarters above the Grays Corner pub, in Stoke, through an unlocked window, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday.
Prosecutor Heather Chamberlin said the pub was closed for a refurbishment at the time of the break-in, in the early hours of August 13, and the landlady woke at 3.15am to find windows and doors had been opened.
Miss Chamberlin said: "She was very frightened. She locked herself in the bedroom and called the police.
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"When the officers arrived she looked round and realised her handbag had been taken from the bedroom next to the one she had been sleeping in."
The court heard a 42-inch television had also been stolen.
Officers noted the intruder entered through a window and fingerprints matched the defendant's.
Corcoran was arrested on November 12. In his police interview he answered no comment to questions but did say: "They have stitched me up."
However, Corcoran, of Fletcher Road, Stoke, later pleaded guilty to burglary.
The court was told Corcoran had numerous previous convictions for burglary. He received a community order in December and was jailed for four months earlier this month for burgling a chemists.
Jason Holt, mitigating, said Corcoran was not aware the pub's living quarters were occupied.
"He made entry via an insecure, transient window," said Mr Holt.
"That appears to be his preferred method of entry.
"However, I accept there have been forced entries in the past."
But Mr Holt said this was an opportunistic burglary.
"It was certainly not planned," he said. "He was in a difficult place at the time. He is a young man who has struggled through his adult life with a drug addiction. At the time he was sleeping rough," said Mr Holt.
He said Corcoran had been dealt with for a number of offences since that night and added that the defendant was now on a methadone reduction programme and had gone through a period of detoxification while in custody.
Judge Paul Glenn said the minimum sentencing provisions applied because of Corcoran's previous convictions and he jailed him for three years. The judge said: "You burgled these premises while the female licensee was in bed.
"There was plainly potential for confrontation and the items stolen were never recovered. This offence caused her inconvenience and stress."
Judge Glenn said the offence was committed while Corcoran was on bail and subject to a community order.
He added: "You are a prolific burglar. Having committed this, you carried on offending afterwards and ended up with a sentence in January."
Corcoran will serve up to half the sentence with the rest on licence.
21 Comments
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by Backdoored
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 12:19PM
“You comment/question underlines my point. He's even cleverer -good at it than even I thought he was.
Yes EVEN me. If he can hood wink you into thinking he's serious (an idiot) then what chance the thickoes? Or maybe you are thick yourself? Have you considered your position? He'll find this hilarious -Int that right gary.
He's go you all, well, some of you 'eating out of his hand'. What's really amusing is that no matter how outrageous his opinions are, or his claims regarding what his customers get up to, you believe it.
I have to take my hat off to his literary skills. He carefully constructs his comments 'couched in 'pig-pen' speak, so well that he comes across to most of you as -'for real'.
Gary lad -you're having a ball. The whacky baccy must be on the go -your imagination is playing havoc on here.”
by Sparkmeister
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 10:53AM
“Are you saying he's just pretending to be an idiot?”
by Backdoored
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 9:58AM
“Pig Pen Gary -is like a breath of fresh air on this site.
He's doing a great job exposing the gullibility of so many 'takers' on here. Thickoes who take him seriously and can't see that he's pure and simple a 'wind-up' merchant make themselves a laughing stock.
Gary and co in the 'mythological' pig-pen (aka Burton Stores -next to McDonalds -for those who don't use Wetherspoons opposite) -are getting a bellyful of mirth out of his 'alternative comedy' antics.... aimed at the humbug.
Keep up the good work gary lad, until you've educated the thickoes that 'chav-land' has more intelligence and sees more clearly 'the wood' -through 'the trees'. Hypocrisy is alive and well.”
by FFDP1
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 9:45AM
“Not that people who are disabled should not go abroad, but I question if the fools disabled if he can clime though a pub window. he may indeed have more money for this jolly to Spain or wherever if he had not have given Iggo and and Baggo a good session, and the mind boggles at what that entails.”
by FFDP1
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 6:14AM
“Lol...........saving to go abroad on the disability. Classic that one is.”
by Backdoored
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 10:01PM
“'A day in the life...' (of pig-pen gary)
'I read the news today oh boy, about a lucky man who made the grade -And though the news was rather sad, but I just had to la-a-aff....
http://tinyurl.com/yg8oe7x”
by Killuminati
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 8:50PM
“ay up gary have you heard about basky mate? big mandys gutted i saw her in spoons monday dinner”
by Backdoored
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 8:02PM
“For all those out there who 'fall for pigpen gary's wind-ups -And so obvious are they too. you are suckers for it.
What he's actually trying to get across to you suckers is -'god's message of love' - That right gary? God loves us all -especially the 'theives' who he forgave on the hill -alongside him at Calvary.
Gary's 'pig-pen' bretheren -are simply misunderstood and really have 'hearts of gold' -That right Gary....?
Gary your prey are easy meat -go for 'em until the penny finally drops. Never right in this world. By the way mate, did Clive leave that tenner behind the bar for my birthday drink? Hang on to it -I'll be up later -tap on the window about 1.30am -you and me have a late 'un eh.”
by Scouse31
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 6:21PM
“To roob57 he's an idiot so let him get on with it”
by Scouse31
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 6:18PM
“To pigypengary you are out of your mind I spk my mind too and you are telling me it's time to move on you av no idea what this as dun to my mum lets hope nothing like this ever happens to u and yours because we wud see how forgiving u wud be”