[A] BUNGLING criminal has been jailed for a Workington burglary which his own lawyer described as “terribly executed”.
Darren Hilland, 37, was seen by an eyewitness to remove eight jackets, valued at £660, from the town’s Trespass store at 10pm on November 8. Hilland, who was carrying tools and high on diazepam, cut himself as he forced entry to the shop and caused £425 damage.
He fell over several times in the street while making off with his loot, which police then found him trying to stuff underneath a nearby van. A balaclava Hilland had been wearing was removed by paramedics called to treat him as he took ill.
Carlisle Crown Court heard his crime was also captured on both the town centre and store CCTV cameras.
Hilland, of Lakeland View, Workington, admitted burglary and was jailed for two years today (MON).
Paul Tweddle, defending, said of the offence: “It is not only badly executed – it is terribly executed.”
Judge Peter Hughes QC, who described the defendant’s burglary-filled criminal record as “awful”, stated: “It was badly executed and you were caught virtually in the act.”