A PENGE man has been jailed for three years after he and an accomplice were found guilty of burglary at Croydon Crown Court.

Michael Willmott, aged 31, of Otford Close, and Laurence Marini, aged 35, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to forcing their way into a house in Lambeth Road, Croydon, on April 2.

The bungling pair attempted the raid to fund their drug habits.

Prosecuting, Dominic Kelleher said: "The pair forced a bedroom window.

"But, in doing so, attracted the attention of others in the road and they were then caught."

The court also heard both possessed several previous convictions for similar offences and had served jail sentences.

Judge Simon Pratt said: "By now, given your history, you should both realise how seriously residential burglaries are regarded.

"You should know the devastating effect burglaries have on their victims, some of whom take years to recover

"I accept you did this to fund your drug habit, but there is no mitigation."

July 6, 2001 15:17