Duo admit tv theft burglary of holiday let in County Durham
Date of alert:
Monday, 21 March 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Durham Constabulary
TWO men have admitted breaking into a converted former farm barn, but on the basis it is not classed as a “dwelling”.
James Ball and Christopher Kenning were arrested shortly after a report was received of a break-in at Turnip Barn, Witton Gilbert, near Durham, on the morning of Tuesday November 23, last year.
A television was taken from the property, which is let out as a holiday cottage separate from the nearby farm.
The issue of whether or not it is classed as a “dwelling” in the eyes of the law has been the subject of debate over a number of recent hearings at Durham Crown Court, as the penalty for breaking into lived in premises is greater than for commercial property.
In a statement from the owners the court heard it is rented out for 41 of 52 weeks a year as a holiday let, on a self-catering basis, with the average length of stay usually about a week.
