Man jailed for double burglary at Handforth beauty business

Harrison Pratt took items worth around £26,000 in the burglary on Commercial Avenue between January 1-5, 2001.

The 24-year-old was appearing at Chester Crown Court on Friday, March 25, where he was sentenced to serve 20 months behind bars.

Mark Connor, prosecuting, told the court how Pratt had been charged with entering Current Body Limited, via the roof on two seperate occasions during the period.

"He denied having anything to do with the first burglary," Mr Connor said.

"He accepts going into the building on the second occasion when goods worth £26,000 were stolen.

"Over the two burglaries, stock worth a total of £52,000 was taken.

"Entry had been gained in the same way, through the roof, and the defendant was only identified after blood spats matched him to the scene.

"It is clear the offences were carried out by more than one offender."

Harrison Pratt has been jailed for 20 months - pic Cheshire Police

Jemma Gordon, defending, said her client had recently lost his job and fallen into the wrong crowd before the burglary.

"Clearly the custody threshold has been crossed," she said.

"I would ask your honour to consider suspending any sentence however.

"My client has a 12-month-old child and has recently secured full-time work as a joiner.

"He will benefit from intervention.

"He had lost his job and was socialising with the wrong crowd."

Judge Patrick Thompson said it had been a targeted burglary in which the thieves had all 'helped themselves'.

"It must have taken some equipment and planning to get in through the roof like you did," he said.

"It resulted in a very significant loss of stock.

"The goods were never recovered and you certainly would have made some money.

"The only suitable sentence for a planned burglary of this nature which resulted in a loss of stock like this can only be immediate custody."

Pratt, from Howley Mill Lane, in West Yorkshire, was given a 20-month sentence.