A MAN who took part in an overnight break-in at a rural garage is facing a jail sentence after driving off in a car taken from the premises.

The warning was given to 24-year-old Kieron Heslop after he admitted taking part in the burglary at Mickleton Service Station, on the B6277, in Teesdale, County Durham, on the night of November 13/14 last year.

Durham Crown Court was told a safe, a cctv unit, eight sets of car keys and a charity box were taken by intruders.

Heslop is then said to have driven from the site in a Saab 93, one of three cars removed by the defendant and two unknown accomplices.

Appearing via video link to the court from nearby Durham Prison, Heslop, of Wooley Meadows, in Stanley, near Crook, admitted charges of burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Andrew Finlay, for Heslop, asked for sentence to be adjourned to allow for the preparation of a background report on the defendant by the Probation Service.

Agreeing to his request, Judge Simon Hickey said the original trial date would be taken out of the list and Heslop would be sentenced at a hearing on May 19.

But, he told the defendant: “You have pleaded guilty to serious matters, particularly the burglary.

“I have to warn you that the report will assist only as to the length of the sentence.”