Burglars stole booze from cellar in the Twisted Tongue, Whitehaven

Dale Smith, 30, and Daniel O’Fee, 28, stole bottles of alcohol including beer and gin after entering the cellar of the Twisted Tongue in Whitehaven.

The defendants each pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary other than dwelling when they appeared before Workington Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Pamela Fee said police received a 999 call on February 18 from the owner of the Twisted Tongue, who reported that the business had just been burgled.

Staff had been in the bar at 10pm and found the defendants, who were stealing bottles of alcohol.

O’Fee pushed a member of staff against the wall before the defendants both escaped. Two members of staff chased them out onto New Street.

One of the defendants dropped a phone, which was seized by police.

Mike Woolaghan, for Smith, said: “The premises were doing a stock take. The cellar doors were open. The defendants foolishly decided to walk into the open cellar and help themselves. It seems to have been opportunistic.

“O’Fee used violence in the course of escape. There’s no suggestion Smith engaged in violent or threatening behaviour. He just runs away.”

John Cooper, for O’Fee, said: “They had been on a night out. Walked in. I don’t think they realised they were in the cellar before it was too late.

“There’s only one way in and one way out of the cellar. Some of the staff were a lot bigger than them.

“It’s like man landing on the moon – the one who is the closest to the door is the one who goes first. He pushes his way past and clears the way for Mr Smith.”

O’Fee, of Brakeside Gardens, Whitehaven, was given a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation requirement days and a three-month alcohol treatment requirement.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge. He must also pay £33.10 in compensation.

Smith, of Bowness Road, Whitehaven, was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge. He must pay £33.10 in compensation.