A BURGLAR with ‘an appalling record’ broke into a new development in Warrington town centre by kicking in a window.

Paul Taylor, 54, pleaded guilty to an attempted burglary at a construction site – namely the former Kwik Save site on Academy Street.

Warrington Magistrates’ Court heard how on May 22, 2022, security were notified that there were individuals on the site at around 5.45am.

Prosecuting, Angela Blackmore explained that Taylor was in the back of the site wearing a head torch and gloves while in possession of a metal bar.

He tried to pry open a glass door before kicking and smashing the adjoining window.

Taylor, of Wolverhampton, has 47 convictions for 150 offences – 67 of which relate to dishonesty.

Defence barrister Gary Heaven asked the court to be mindful of Taylor’s prompt guilty plea.

Taylor was seeing family in Warrington.

Mr Heaven added: “This man has an appalling record.”

He also said that many of his convictions go back to an earlier stage of his life and Taylor’s last conviction for burglary was in 2007.

Taylor was said to have brought his drug problems under control but before the burglary, ‘the wheels fell off’ after some personal problems.

Mr Heaven added that Taylor was seeing family in Warrington

Chair of the magistrates’ panel Stephen Walter said: “We are going to suspend the sentence. We feel you are capable of some rehabilitation with the suspended sentence hanging over your head.

“You can’t afford to do anything wrong now.”

Taylor was given a 12-week sentence that is suspended for 12 months.

He must also pay costs of £513.