Burglar locked up over break-in at Leeds golf club

Gary Priestley, 23, was part of a gang who targeted Woodhouse Hill Golf Club in Pudsey on July 20 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard the burglars drove a car through a security barrier and then forced open a boarded-up window.

Bashir Ahmed, prosecuting, said the same premises had also been burgled a month earlier.

Mr Ahmed said the earlier burglary had been captured on CCTV but it had not been possible to make out the identity of those involved.

The gang stole £4,000 worth of golf clubs on the second occasion before leaving.

Over £500 worth of damage was also cause during the incident.

Priestley was arrested after his blood was found on the window frame.

He refused to comment when interviewed about the offence.

At the time of the offence Priestley, of Farway, Holmewood, Bradford, was on bail for targeting to other sports premises - Lightcliffe Gold Club, in Halifax, and Silsden Sports Club, in Bradford.

The court heard Priestley caused over £2,000 worth of damage during the incident in Silsden. Priestley was subsequently given a suspended prison sentence for those offences.

Mr Ahmed said: “This displays a sequence of similar offending”. Priestley pleaded guilty to burglary. The court heard he has 12 previous convictions for 15 offences. including burglary, theft and handling stolen goods.

Victoria Molloy, mitigating, said Priestley had come to court prepared to be sent to prison. She said Priestley had been persuaded to take part in the offences by others.

Recorder Martin Simpson said: “You were on bail for similar offences. The fact remains I have no choice but to impose a custodial sentence.”