Three sentenced at court for aggravated burglary

Three people have been sentenced yesterday (15 December) for aggravated burglary when they stole a puppy armed with a baseball bat from an address in Whitehaven. Peter Woolaghan, 24, of Kinniside Place, Cleator Moor was sentenced to four years. Naomi Doran, 32, of Kinniside Place, Cleator Moor was sentenced to two years suspended for 18 months. Sophie Kennedy, 30, of Leswick Avenue, Whitehaven was sentenced to two years suspended for 18 months. They were found guilty following a six day trial at Carlisle Crown Court which concluded on 10 November. The court heard police received a call from a friend of the victim reporting the incident. Doran, Woolaghan and Kennedy let themselves into the house via a backdoor, and shouted at the victim, Kennedy then pulled a baseball bat threatening the victim and swinging the bat in the victim’s direction. Woolaghan has removed the Cockapoo puppy from its crate where it was with its mother. They then left the property with Doran hoping the puppy under her t-shirt before getting in a vehicle and driving off. Officers locate all three of the individuals and arrest them or aggravated burglary. The puppy was located at an address on Ennerdale Terrace, Whitehaven where the trio had left the puppy asking the occupant to look after it. Investigating the case Detective Constable Alex Chalker said “The defendants committed this offence with the intention of threatening the victim with the baseball bat and even swinging it at the victim. “No one should feel unsafe in their own homes. "It is our commitment to ensure those who commit burglary offences are prosecuted. We would like to remind people to remain vigilant, to report all burglary offences or any suspicious activity to the police via our online reporting form, live chat or 101 or if a crime is occurring on 999. The offences were investigated under Operation Themis – Cumbria Constabulary’s response to and focus on burglaries.