Burglar 'threw his chance away'

50-year-old with 'awful record' relapsed on return to city

- Sentinel Reporter

PROFESSIONAL burglar Martin Askey sneaked into a gym just seven weeks after being handed a chance by a court.

The 50-year-old was sentenced on March 19 to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, for two burglaries.

But just weeks later, he and an accomplice went into a gym at Old School Buildings in Brindley Ford, forced open the safe and stole £20, key rings and two rings which were of sentimental value to one of the gym users who had left them there for safe keeping.

Now Askey, pictured, has been locked up for 22 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Barry White said CCTV showed two men entering the gym at 8.19pm on May 5.

Mr White said: "Askey was identified from the footage by an officer. The second man has not yet been charged."