Published at 10:39, Saturday, 14 April 2012

THREE men involved in a burglary at the home of a woman who had been found dead just hours before have appeared in court.

Aaron Butler, Shaun Patrick Ayres and Carr Hamilton Metcalfe were due to be sentenced yesterday(13/4) at Preston Crown Court.

But at yesterday’s hearing Judge Norman Wright decided the case should be dealt with by the judge who had first heard the trio’s guilty pleas.

The three have admitted their involvement of the burglary of a house belonging to elderly resident Ann Backhouse, in Earle Street, Barrow, last July. The homeowner had been found dead, in non-suspicious circumstances, just hours before the burglary.

Items taken from the house included electrical goods, keys, a Panasonic LDC TV and a handbag.

Relatives of Ann Backhouse were at Preston Crown Court yesterday to hear prosecutor Mr Saul Brody tell the judge an

adjournment would be a “significant disappointment” to the family.

Mr Brody added: “They are prepared to hear what is distressing evidence, only to discover at a very late stage that the court isn’t going to deal with the case today.”

Butler, 23, of Cameron Street, Barrow, pleaded guilty to burglary at an earlier hearing. Ayres, 21, of Urswick Green, Barrow, and Metcalfe, 24, of Cameron Street, Barrow, had both admitted handling stolen goods.

All three were granted bail until April 19 when they will return to the court to be sentenced.

Judge Wright said: “It would be wrong for me to deal with this case. It is right for it to go before the judge before whom they entered their pleas.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk