A FORMER paratrooper who stole more than £2,250 worth of of horse riding equipment in a farm raid has been fined £508.

Nathan Buckland, 21, broke into a farm at Bishopton, near Stockton, with Lee Allen in the early hours of Saturday, April 11.

They were spotted loading items, including the horse riding equipment and an industrial strength power washer into a vehicle.

Bolt cutters were used to gain entry.

Buckland, of Lumley Close, Newton Aycliffe, admitted burglary when he appeared before Newton Aycliffe magistrates last week.

He returned to court today (Wednesday, April 29) to be sentenced for the offence.

The magistrates heard the farmer was frightened by the raid as he had been repeatedly targeted by crooks in the run up to the raid.

Prosecutor Rachael Dodsworth said: “The victim has been left worried and upset. This has had an effect on his livelihood.

“He is thankful that the police acted so quickly in securing the offenders. He is scared that his farm is not safe anymore.”

John Turner, mitigating, said Buckland had been a paratrooper for 18-months and left the military on medical grounds.

He said Buckland, who has been offered a job in Saudi Arabia, had been naive.

“He feels greatly ashamed and he is very remorseful for what he has done. There is no chance that he will be before the courts again.”

Buckland was fined £508 and he will pay £50 compensation, £85 prosecution costs and a £51 victim surcharge. The bolt cutters are to be destroyed.

Allen, 28, of Linden Place, Newton Aycliffe, has also pleaded guilty to burglary. He will be sentenced on May 13.