Lincs: Burglar armed himself with a knife

Daniel Smith together with an accomplice broke into the squash club at the Lindum sports complex in the early hours of the morning.

Andrew Scott, prosecuting, said the pair made off with a pay phone, sports equipment and bath towels but were arrested nearby after police were alerted.

Mr Scott said “They were equipped for the job.”

“There was a bag of tools found on Smith.”

“He was wearing gloves and was carrying a knife.”

“When he was searched he had the kitchen knife in his pocket.”

“He said he carried it for protection.”

Smith, 40, of Doughty’s Court, Lincoln, admitted burglary on 16th April.

Judge Sean Morris told him he had to go to prison saying “This was a planned burglary.”

“You deliberately armed yourself with a murderous weapon.”

Sunil Khanna, defending, said Smith had a drug problem but had been trying to sort himself out.

“Heroin has blighted his life.”

“His previous offences were committed to fund his heroin addiction but since 2010 he has stabilised his life and he has managed his addiction.”

He said that Smith took the knife with him for protection but had no intention to use it.

“He is very sorry.”

“He realises it was an act of complete stupidity.”

A second man who admitted the same burglary was dealt with by Lincoln Magistrates Court at an earlier hearing and was given a 12 month community order.