Heartless burglars steal cash and clothes from Sunderland charity shop

Brian Redman, 36, and George Lumsden, 45, raided the Barnardo’s store on The Green, Southwick, shortly after 10pm on March 21.

They, along with a 17-year-old male who cannot be named for legal reasons, forced their way into the shop and pocketed money and items of clothing.

Officers attended the scene and detained the three males nearby.

Police went on to locate bags of clothes belonging to the charity discarded in the Southwick Green area, while the shop’s brand new till - which cost more than £3,000 and had only just been installed -was also found smashed up.

Redman, Lumsden and the juvenile all pleaded guilty to burglary and handling stolen goods when they appeared before magistrates in South Tyneside on Friday).

They are due to be sentenced in the next few weeks.

PC Michael Urwin, of Northumbria Police, said: "For people to steal from a charity which supports some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in our communities is absolutely deplorable.

"Charities like this rely on the good-will of their volunteers and their supporters, who work all year-round in various fundraising ventures.

“The selfish actions of these three individuals that night has inevitably caused a great deal of distress and anguish, and they must now live with the consequences of their actions.

“As a Force, we are committed to tackling burglary and ensuring those who look to inflict misery on other’s are identified and rightly brought to justice.”

Redman, of Lichfield Road, Sunderland, and Lumsden, of Winslow Close, Sunderland, are due to next appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on June 12.

The 17-year-old juvenile from Sunderland is due to appear before South Tyneside Youth Court this Thursday (May 23).