A ‘REACH-IN’ theft through an open window has left the perpetrator facing sentence as a third-time burglar.

Philip Andrew Ruane admitted burglary of a house in Consett, at Durham Crown Court, in February.

He took a mobile phone and a bank card from the property in Thornfield Road, on Thursday August 8, last year.

His co-accused, Stacey Smith, used the card to make three contactless purchases, all for items totalling just under £30, at nearby Deneburn Stores, the following day.

Smith, 30 of The Bye, Consett, previously denied fraud by false representation, over her use of the card, but changed her plea and admitted the charge.

Mr Herrmann said the position was that she was, “led down the garden path”, by her partner.

He said Smith, who is on sickness benefit, was merely following his instructions.

Judge Ray Singh told Smith he was being “extremely lenient” in her case, passing a 12-month conditional discharge and ordering her to pay £50 compensation.

Sentence on Ruane, 32, also of The Bye, was adjourned for preparation of a probation report on him.

Judge Singh told him he would be sentenced next month for what was his third burglary, albeit the first two were as a youth offender.

He was bailed to return for sentence on August 5.