Burglar walks free after targeting charity’s office

A 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.

- ROB KENNEDY

The break-in happened on June 13 last year at the Fighting All Cancers Together (FACT) 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.