A burglar who targeted the homes of vulnerable elderly people in Penrith has admitted more crimes — some dating back more than four years.
John Donakey, 57, admitted three attempted break-ins — at two houses on Clifford Road and one at Maple Drive, when he appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court in July. These were committed on June 22.
Last month, Donakey was back at the court where he pleaded guilty to the burglary of a home at Croft Avenue in Penrith with intent to steal on June 20; and a separate burglary at Maple Drive, with theft of a pair of binoculars, on June 23.
And Donakey was back before magistrates for a third time this morning, appearing remotely over a video link from custody.
During a short hearing, he indicated guilty pleas to four offences of burglary with intent to steal. These are said to have occurred at an address in Kentmere Brow, Kendal, on both July 9and 16 2018; one at Burneside Road in Kendal on July 16 that year; and one at Folly Lane in Penrith on October 14 2020.
Magistrates heard today that Donakey, of Bexhill Gardens, St Helens, was already awaiting sentence at Carlisle Crown Court for the five 2022 Penrith offences. These, a prosecutor has previously said, involved the properties being deliberately targeted by Donakey. Gloves and a protective suit were found in his car upon arrest, along with binoculars.
Magistrates today committed the case involving the 2018 and 2020 matters to crown court. Donakey is due to appear in front of a judge next Wednesday, and remains in custody in the meantime.
