Burglar admits stealing thousands of pounds worth of items from Washington sports centre

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A man has appeared at South Tyneside Magistrate’s Court to admit his part in the burglary of a Washington sports centre that saw thousands of pounds of goods taken or damaged.

Dennis Hudson, 39, broke into Washington Gymnastics Club and took items including toys, laptop computers, and cash donated for charity.

Hudson, of Emerson Court, Horden, Co Durham, was accompanied by another man who is being sought by police.

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South Tyneside Magistrate's Court.South Tyneside Magistrate's Court.
South Tyneside Magistrate's Court. | NW

Hudson was caught on CCTV entering the premises at Wynn House, Hertburn Industrial Estate, at 12.30am on Sunday, December 1.

He and another man were seen leaving after 15 minutes and returning at 3.15am, prosecutor Bushra Begum told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Hudson was arrested the next day in Washington and the goods and cash recovered, she added.

The identity of his alleged accomplice is known, and police are hunting him but no arrest has been made, it was said.

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Mrs Begum said the centre's owner arrived for work at 9.20am to find a door almost off its hinges and a £10,000 touch screen coffee machine damaged.

Hudson, who has 41 previous convictions from 112 offences, but nothing in four years, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and possession of drugs.

During his arrest, he was found with a syringe containing heroin.

Paul McAlindon, defending, said Hudson committed the break-in to fund his crack cocaine use.

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Mr McAlindon added: “Mr Hudson, to his credit, was entirely open with the police.

“He told the police that he had struggled with heroin for many years and that he now uses crack cocaine, which is more expensive.

“He says that the burglary was to fund that. He’s aware that it’s an offence which has a starting point where custody is considered.”

District Judge Zoe Passfield ordered an all-options report and granted Hudson bail on condition he lives and sleeps at Emerson Court.

He must also abide by a tagged 7pm to 7am curfew and not contact his suspected co-accused.

Hudson will be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, February 18.

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