Man jailed following three Fylde burglaries on same night

9:54pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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An 18-year-old who admitted he was responsible for a one-man crime wave in Blackpool has been sentenced to three years youth custody.

Preston Crown Court was told that Liam Clegg raided three homes on the same night and in one case there was a confrontation with the householder.

After being caught red-handed Clegg, of no fixed address, then admitted 60 other offences committed between 2003 and January 2008, 45 of them were burglaries.

Mr Duncan Birrell, prosecuting, told the court the three burglaries took place on January 5 this year, two in Chiselhurst Avenue, Blackpool.

The third burglary took place at an address on St Annes Road, Blackpool.

A man returned home and confronted Clegg who pleaded to be let go.

He was aggressive when police arrived and he was arrested.

Mr Birrell said Clegg had 32 previous convictions for 47 offences.

Mr Paul Humphries, defending, said Clegg had lost both his parents and he had been fending for himself and had no place to live.

Clegg who had had a tragic upbringing acknowledged he needed help and support in the community.

Clegg, he added, had pleaded guilty and had assisted police.

Recorder Paul O'Brien told Clegg: "I have no doubt in my mind these offences to which you pleaded guilty cross the custody threshold and into custody you must go."