Neighbours unwittingly help fish burglars
Burglars who stole a tropical fish from a north Norfolk home were unwittingly given a helping hand by a kindly female neighbour a court has heard.As Daniel Horth and Adam Burton stood outside their victims' home in Little Barningham, with their haul, including a Siamese fighting fish, a neighbour offered them a lift in her car and gave them carrier bags to help them carry their stash.
Burglars who stole a tropical fish from a north Norfolk home were unwittingly given a helping hand by a kindly female neighbour a court has heard.
As Daniel Horth and Adam Burton stood outside their victims' home in Little Barningham, with their haul, including a Siamese fighting fish, a neighbour offered them a lift in her car and gave them carrier bags to help them carry their stash.
The neighbour's unwitting aid to the burglars was described last Wednesday as Horth, 21, of Margaret Paston Avenue, Norwich, pleaded guilty to burglary at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court.
Magistrates heard that Horth and Burton, 25, of Holway Road, Norwich, knew their victims and had entered the property on August 12 through an unlocked window while they were away.
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The pair stole electrical items, PlayStation games, a bottle of vodka and �200 in cash and put them in carrier bags.
They also took the tropical fish, which are worth about �5 on average and can grow to more than two inches in length.
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Gary Mayle, prosecuting, said: 'A Siamese fighting fish was missing from the tank in the kitchen.'
As Horth and Burton stood outside the property with their haul a female neighbour asked them if she could help.
She offered them a lift to Aylsham after the burglars said they knew their victims. She then offered them stronger carrier bags as she thought their bags looked weak.
Mr Mayle said: 'They accepted the new carrier bags.'
It was not known if the Siamese fighting fish was carried in one of the bags or was taken in another type of container.
Despite the arrests of Horth, formerly of Holworthy Road, Bowthorpe, Norwich, and Burton, the fish was never found.
After Horth pleaded guilty to burglary magistrates adjourned his case until January 14 at Cromer Magistrates Court so a pre-sentence report could be prepared. He has previous convictions for theft and false representation.
On December 17 Yarmouth magistrates sentenced Burton to 100 hours unpaid work and ordered him to pay �250 compensation to his victims after he admitted burglary.
