Last updated at 16:05, Wednesday, 06 March 2013

A FATHER-OF-THREE bought stolen clothes taken during a burglary.

A haul of expensive clothes, including items from brands Fred Perry and Henri Lloyd, was stolen from Icon Menswear in Dalton Road, Barrow, just weeks before Christmas.

Daniel John Higgin bought some of the stolen items from a man in Ormsgill.

Higgin, 28, admitted handling stolen goods on February 13 when he appeared before Furness Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Mrs Lisa Hine, prosecuting, said police executed warrants following inquiries into the burglary and Higgin’s home in High White Close, Barrow, was targeted. Higgin told officers he bought clothing off a man whom he believed had stolen the goods – but insisted he had nothing to do with the burglary.

Mr Trystan Roberts, defending, told the court: “Since the police approached him, he’s been open and honest with them and showed them exactly where the goods were in his home.

“He was not responsible for any sort of burglary, but I accept he knows the items were stolen.”

Mr Roberts said other people had been spoken to in relation to the burglary.

He said a man had been travelling around the Ormsgill area asking people if they wanted to buy items.

Mr Roberts said: “He (Higgin) accepts he thought at the time they may have been stolen, or perhaps fake, items.”

Higgin was ordered to pay a £140 fine, £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Presiding magistrate Dr Raj Rathi told him: “You’ve got to control your instincts of doing these things and getting yourself into trouble.

“Keep your nose clean, otherwise you will find yourself in much more serious trouble.”

After the court hearing, Emma Halligan, sales assistant at Icon, told the Evening Mail around 25 items, worth between £800 and £1,000, had been recovered and returned to the shop.

She added: “But half of it had been worn or just wasn’t fit to sell on again.

“At least someone has been caught. We’re still trading all right and it’s not knocked us back too much.”

The shop’s insurance claim is still ongoing.

First published at 15:56, Wednesday, 06 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk