A THIRD man has admitted plotting to burgle homes in north Cumbria, including that of a Carlisle jeweller.

Shortly after his trial had started at the city’s crown court, Antonio Baja, 33, abandoned his denials and admitted three counts of conspiring to burgle houses – one in Stanwix in north Carlisle and others in Hayton and Bothel.

As he opened the case, prosecutor Gerard Rogerson said the raids happened between May 29 and June 5. All three homes were broken into and ransacked.

“The were homes deliberately targeted by this man, Antonio Baja and two other men,” said Mr Rogerson, naming the co-conspirators as 38-year-old Ion Baban and 30-year-old Ioam Iovi

They pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

Two women who were working in Carlisle as prostitutes have also admitted being involved by handling some of the stolen goods.

Mr Rogerson said the method used in all three burglaries was identical, with the defendants forcing open a window at the rear of the property before going inside to steal valuables.

In the case of the Carlisle jeweller's home, there was an added twist, said the prosecutor.

“He was followed in his car on his way home from work on the May 31,” said Mr Rogerson. When the house was burgled on June 4, the owner was on holiday but his step-son his girlfriend were at the house.

The female - a teenager - was celebrating her birthday and she returned to the house and found herself confronted by the three burglars, who fled.

The three men returned to their accommodation in Carlisle where they quickly packed up two cars, a VW Golf, in which Baja and one of the women travelled, and a Toyota Yaris, used by the other three people involved.

After heading south on the M6, they divided up the loot from the three burglaries.

Mr Rogerson continued: “The police acted promptly and put out the details of the two vehicles. The Golf was stopped in Lancashire and a suitcase full of booty from the three burglaries was in the boot.”

The Toyota Yaris was traced to a hotel in Cheshire where the other three who were involved had booked in for the night. More of the spoils from the burglary were found there also, said Mr Rogerson.

Part of the prosecution case, said Mr Rogerson, was CCTV footage showing the burglars following the jeweller as he drove home to Stanwix, unwittingly leading the burglars to their next target property.

As the case concluded, Recorder Julian Shaw told the jury he had just discharged that the evidence against Baja was “overwhelming.” “Why it took until this morning for this defendant to recognise that fact is a mystery,” said the judge.

The court heard that none of the five defendants – who are Romanian except for Baja, who is Albanian – had leave to remain in the country. Depending on their sentences, they may well face deportation.

All five defendants will be sentenced today

At previous hearings, the male defendants have given their personal details as follows: Baban was of Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury, and Iovi of Worchester Road, London.

Baja is of no fixed abode. He will remain remanded in custody until the day of his sentencing.