A burglar caught on CCTV as he broke into Kendal Museum and another town business while also trying to steal a bike from someone’s home has been given a 12-month prison sentence.
Mason Aplin, 27, was first captured on camera behaving bizarrely, Carlisle Crown Court heard, after breaking into Scratch Creative at Kentgate Place, Beezon Road, on the night of May 27. Aplin was sat in a foyer for around an hour before snatching computer equipment valued at around £5,000.
This was recovered from a nearby park in a black plastic bag and Aplin’s fingerprints were on the loot. “He was identified, anyway, by CCTV,” said prosecutor Tim Evans.
Aplin was arrested but, after being released under investigation, he committed two more crimes.
On 26th June, he was again caught on camera seemingly doing a “double-take” while walking past an apartment building on Highgate in Kendal and seeing a bike inside. He tried to force entry. “The CCTV seems to have sound as well,” said Mr Evans. Aplin could be heard saying “I am going to get this bike; I will get this bike” but ultimately failed in his bid.
At around 3am the same night, Aplin broke into Kendal Museum by smashing a window. “He was identified by CCTV and fled when the alarm sounded before having a chance to steal anything,” Mr Evans told the court.
Aplin was captured and later pleaded guilty to two burglaries and one attempted break-in when brought to court.
Kim Whittlestone, giving mitigation during today’s sentencing hearing (mon), said the defendant was “extremely sorry” for committing the offences. “He doesn’t shy away from the fact he is a young man, 27 years of age, who has a significant drug addiction. It was to fund that drug addiction that he committed these offences.”
Jailing Aplin, of Back Lane, Kendal, Judge Ian Unsworth KC told him: “You were clearly seeking to gain for yourself by carrying out these various acts.”
