Burglar ransacks Sheffield Working Men's Club causing hundreds of pounds of damage

Sheffield Crown Court heard on June 19 how Sean Kelly, aged 41, of no fixed abode, struck at Anston Working Men’s Club, on Main Street, North Anston, Sheffield, and stole hundreds of pounds of spirits and cash and caused hundreds of pounds of damage.

Matthew Burdon, prosecuting, said spirits and cash were reported missing and damage was caused to the shutter of a bandit gaming machine, an overhead projector and to a ceiling.

Mr Burdon added that a cash tin had been taken and a cash machine had been pulled from a wall and an alarm was damaged.

Kelly, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the burglary after the raid in September, 2019, and he also admitted breaching a suspended prison sentence previously imposed for a theft.

The defendant also admitted stealing a stereo from the car of his sister’s partner from January and he admitted possessing a knife which he had picked up after police were called following the theft of the stereo.

Amy Earnshaw, defending, said Kelly has used his time on remand in custody for detoxification because he has had problems with drugs but he has shown a resolve to change.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC sentenced Kelly - who has served over five-months on remand - to 15-months of custody. He was also given a five-year restraining order to protect his sister and her partner, of Kiveton Park, Rotherham.