A CARLISLE man’s flat was burgled by one neighbour, while two others were found in possession of stolen loot soon after the crime.

Shaun Bennett was receiving rehabilitation and undergoing treatment away from his Highfield Avenue home when it was targeted during the early hours of September 18.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told Carlisle Crown Court: “At about 2-20am, the police received a call from a member of the public, telling them that somebody was breaking into Mr Bennett’s flat.

“There was a running commentary provided by that person. That included the description of a male who was seen to be walking down the avenue carrying a large flat-screen television.”

When a second caller spoke of hearing “smashing glass and voices on the street”, a police dog was sent to the area.

The dog led police to another flat on Highfield Avenue occupied by Lee Paul Laurie, 41, who matched the description provided by the mystery eyewitness. DNA also linked him to the point of entry at the burgled address.

Further information was obtained by police that two other neighbours - 28-year-old Domonic Winner and his 21-year-old partner Shannon Louanne Cherry - may be linked to stolen items. And when officers called at their home on Highfield Avenue at around 4am, two flat screen televisions and a sound bar which had been pinched from the victim were found inside.

Mr Rogerson said Mr Bennett had since passed away although his sister had provided a statement. “She can say on behalf of her brother that she knew nobody had any authority to remove these items from his property,” said the prosecutor.

Laurie later admitted burglary and, at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday, Winner and Cherry pleaded guilty to handling the stolen goods.

Judge Brian Cummings QC hears mitigation on behalf of all three defendants, and spoke of a “mean offence”. He sent Laurie to prison for a year and Winner for six months. He suspended Cherry’s four-month jail term for 18 months, and ordered her to complete unpaid work and rehabilitation.