Leigh: Burglary pair targeted 2 homes minutes apart

Daryl Makin, 36, and Wayne Raftry, 50, hit the homes on The Avenue, Leigh, on July 19 last summer.

That night, a woman was woken by loud noises and after seeing the duo on her doorbell camera discovered that they had already stolen from her neighbours, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Wayne Jackson, prosecuting, said: “Prior to the burglary she felt happy and safe in the house, but since then things have changed.”

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Jackson told the court how Makin and Raftry, both of Lord Street, Leigh, had stolen car keys as well as a television and laptop.

The duo used the keys to steal a Kia Sportage which was later found again but only after they had done around £1,300 worth of damage to it.

Makin, who has 36 previous convictions for 21 offences, was found to have been driver despite already serving a ban.

But this also lead to their captured after Makin’s fingerprint was found on the car.

Police officers also recognised Raftry, who has 28 previous convictions for 38 offences, from the CCTV footage.

The due were arrested soon afterwards and both pleaded guilty to theft of the Kia, trespassing and attempted tresspassing at the first opportunity.

Makin also pleaded guilty to driving while banned. 

Mr Jackson added that these were “two properties, targeted minutes apart on the same street".

Gerald Baxter, defending Raftry, accepted that his client "had a bad record" but reminded the court that he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and claimed he was now apologetic for his actions.

He said: “The background to this is a sorry tale of homelessness and drug taking.”

He added: “It looks like he has been in that state for quite some time.”

Graham Rishton, defending Makin, argued that he also deserved credit for having pleaded guilty and said that his crimes stemmed from a "wretched childhood".

He told that court that drug abuse had "blighted his adult life" but that his remorse was genuine and that he now accepted responsibility for his crimes.

The Honorary Recorder for Bolton Judge Martin Walsh accepted that they both were indeed entitled to credit for having pleaded guilty but reminded them of the impact they had had on their victims.

ALSO READ: A 'crumbling system' and the crimes that shook Bolton

ALSO READ: Crackdown on one of Bolton's most prolific crimes gets results

ALSO READ: Police step up patrols in 2 areas after a rise in burglaries and vehicle crime

He said: “She was clearly traumatised to find you two, acting together to break into her property.”

Judge Walsh sentenced both Raftry and Makin to three years in prison.

He also ordered that Makin’s driving ban be extended by 18 months.