Professional burglary gang used blow torch to burn off door locks, stole Audi car and tried to take pet dog from family home in Leeds

A teenager was part of a professional gang of burglars who used a blow torch to gain entry to family homes in the middle of the night.
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During one break-in they stole an Audi A3 worth £17,000.

In a second offence they fled after waking up the home owners and tried to steal a pet dog,

Zak Allinson was sent to a young offender institution for 22 months after pleading guilty to two offences of burglary.

Burglar Zak Allinson was sent to a young offender institution for 22 months.Burglar Zak Allinson was sent to a young offender institution for 22 months.
Burglar Zak Allinson was sent to a young offender institution for 22 months.
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Leeds Crown Court heard the 19-year-old and two other men targeted a house on Park Head Lane, Holmfirth, on November 11 last year.

A blow torch was used to burn off the lock on a rear patio window.

Keys to an Audi was taken and the vehicle was stolen from outside the property.

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Allison was linked to the offence by mobile phone cell site evidence.

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During the investigation police officers seized Allinson's mobile phone and found a selfie he had taken with the car which he sent to his girlfriend.

Bashir Ahmed, prosecuting, said Allison was part of a gang which broke into a house on Fuschia Croft, Woodlesford, Leeds, on November 13.

A blow torch was used to remove the lock but the occupants of the house were awoken.

They were unable to find the keys to the family car which was worth £50,000.

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Allinson was again linked to the offence through mobile phone evidence.

The court heard Allinson, of Cranmer Road, Bradford, has 16 previous convictions including burglary, handling stolen goods and aggravated vehicle taking.

Paul Canfield said Allinson pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage.

Mr Canfield said his client had had a troubled upbringing and has been diagnosed with ADHD.

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Sentencing, Judge Christopher Batty said: "The problem you have is that you hang around with people who are sophisticated burglars who no doubt do a recce of the properties they want to burgle and identify vehicles.

"You will go to custody and it will be for a significant period."