Gang's teenage lookout spared immediate jail term

Mark Worrall was recruited shortly before the thieves struck at AA domestics in Hagley Road, Halesowen, a judge was told.

The 19-year-old also helped to unwrap some of the stolen goods and carry them to a waiting van, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Mr Nigel Stelling, prosecuting, said: "Entry into the warehouse was achieved by knocking a hole in the wall. A rear door was then forced to allow the property to be removed."

The raid occured overnight on a Saturday and was discovered when the staff arrived for work on the Monday morning. The overall loss was around £10,000 and the firm had only been able to recover £5,500 of this through insurance cover, continued the prosecutor.

Worrall's fingerprints were found on packaging removed from one of the stolen items and later found inside the building. He had no previous convictions but had received a reprimand for attempted burglary and been warned after being found on enclosed premises, added Mr Stelling who concluded: "This is a young man with a predilection for this kind of offending."

Mr Christopher O'Gorman, defending, explained: "He was asked to act as look out and then help to load the van. He met the organiser in Banners Street, Colley Gate and was offered £50 to £60 for his help. He played his part but it was in no way either central or organisational."

Worrall from Mansons Close, Colley Gate admitted burglary and was given eight months detention in a Young Offenders Institution suspended under supervision for 18 months with 180 hours unpaid work and £400 costs.

Judge John Wait said: "This was obviously a well organised commercial burglary targeting white goods but this is your first conviction and you had been offered modest reward."