Newcastle man caught trying to climb into first-floor window using ladder made of pallets

A man has been jailed after attempting to climb into a flat using pallets as a ladder. Police found John Mclaughlin's friend up a drain pipe during their failed attempt to gain access to the first-floor window of a community housing building in Slatyford, Newcastle.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that when the pair were confronted by officers they claimed to have been locked out of the building. However, their story was blown by the CCTV cameras which showed the pair leaving the building just seconds earlier.

Mclaughlin originally pleaded not guilty to attempted burglary but changed his plea to guilty the day before the case was due to go to trial on August 15. His friend also pleaded guilty the following day and was sentenced to nine months in prison.

Now the 50-year-old, who has 22 previous convictions, including burglary, has also been jailed. The court heard that Mclaughlin tried to gain entry to the room of a resident living at West View supported community housing in Newcastle via the window of the property on July 1.

John Hobley, prosecuting, said Mclaughlin had left the building with a resident at around 11.45pm before they walked around the back of the property and attempted to climb into the first floor room.

Mr Hobley said: "CCTV shows the two defendants in the yard to the rear of the premises. They can be seen propping pallets against the exterior wall and using those pallets as makeshift ladders in an attempt to gain access to an insecure window on the first floor."

When it became clear that the "pallet ladder plan" was going to be unsuccessful, Mclaughlin could be seen on the camera giving a "leg up" to his friend, helping him to climb a drainpipe.

Mr Hobley added: "While this was going on, a member of staff at the accommodation was watching the CCTV live and contacted the police who attended."

Police arrived to find Mclaughlin's friend up the drainpipe while Mclaughlin waited on the ground. Police were told that Mclaughlin's friend was trying to gain entry to the building because he was locked out. However, the court heard that it was clear this was untrue due to CCTV showing them leaving the building seconds before trying to regain entry.

When Mclaughlin was searched by police a screwdriver was found in his pocket. Assistant Judge Advocate Thomas Mitchell sentenced Mclaughlin, of Whitbeck Court, Slatyford, to 54 weeks imprisonment of which he'll serve up to half, taking into account the time he has spent in custody.

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