A BURGLAR who was caught red-handed by one of his victims has admitted his guilt before magistrates in Carlisle.
Michael John Torrance, 36, pleaded guilty to three burglaries in the Penrith area at the city's Rickergate court. All the offences were committed by Torrance, of Norfolk Road, Penrith, overnight on October 19.
The properties targeted were all in the Maidenhill area, the court heard.
One of the properties was an outbuilding at Stoneybeck Farm, where he stole a chainsaw worth £300. From another property he stole a hedge cutter, a leafblower and hacksaw
After watching CCTV images of one burglary, magistrates said their sentencing powers were insufficient.
They sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court and remanded Torrance in custody. Earlier police said that the defendant was arrested in the early hours of October 19 after being detained by a property owner just after 5am.
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