'Hundreds of adults and children will now suffer due to these criminals'

RUTHLESS BURGLAR WHO TOOK PART IN CAUSING £65K IN DAMAGE AT CANCER CHARITY WALKS FREE

- By ROB KENNEDY

A DESPICABLE burglar who took part in a raid on a cancer charity in which almost £65,000 of damage was caused has walked free from court.

The break-in happened on June 13 last year at the Fighting All Cancers Together building in Wrekenton, Gateshead.

The court heard it is a centre which provides support groups, food services and other support services for victims of cancer and their friends and family.

There had recently been a £500,000 renovation of the building when Geoffrey Bell and Paul Nicholson broke in and left a trail of destruction.

Nicholson, who admitted burglary and a series of other offences, was jailed for more than five years at an earlier court hearing.

Now Bell, 36, of Coach Lane, Hazlerigg, Newcastle, has been given a suspended prison sentence for his part in the break-in, which affected hundreds of cancer sufferers and their families.

CCTV showed Nicholson was first to gain entry, using a piece of metal to break a window which he then climbed through.

Having been inside for two minutes, he came out and spoke to Bell and the pair then went inside, where Bell was filmed on CCTV searching through cupboards, carrying boxes and covering his hands with his sleeves.