A MAN was sentenced to five years in prison after trying to break into a Sale vicarage and then injuring three police officers while trying to escape.


Dennis Smith, 33, of Darley Avenue, Chorlton and accomplice Danielle Condron, 30, of Berwick Avenue, Whitefield, were sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court today, January 27.


Smith pleaded guilty to burglary and three counts of wounding with intent
Condron was found guilty of burglary following a trial and was sentenced to 18 months supervision order and a drugs rehabilitation plan.


Smith broke into the vicarage, near to St John the Divine Church, on Brooklands Road, at around 11am on July 27 2013.


A police officer was inside making other enquiries as he had been tipped off by a colleague that a man and woman were approaching.


He then heard Smith shout ‘hello’ through the letterbox and after some loud banging, Smith walked in.


He then ran away and headed for a car that was parked outside.
The woman, Danielle Condron, was also trying to get in.


The officers, who had already called for backup, surrounded the vehicle and tried to get Smith to stop it.


While Condron ran off, Smith drove the car about 15 feet while officers were still trying to stop it.


It came to a standstill when it hit the gateposts of the vicarage.


One officer was thrown a metre into the road, another needed eight stitches to her right leg, and another suffered a foot injury.


When he was arrested, Smith said: "It's only an attempt burglary, I didn't actually get in the house. I didn't know it was a vicarage, I wouldn’t have done it had I known."


Condron asked officers: "Can you get my bag? It's in the car"


Sgt Phil Seeley said: "We have no doubt this man and woman would have stolen items from the vicarage.


"I would like to praise the officers involved for their teamwork when apprehending this pair, all of whom demonstrated extreme bravery when detaining Smith while he attempted to drive off.


"They very much put their lives on the line in order to detain Smith who is a persistent and prolific offender, making the communities of Trafford far safer now he is behind bars."