Burglar jailed for stealing from Shenley pub

A burglar has been jailed for 29 months for stealing from a pub in Shenley. Darren McKay, 32, walked into the White Horse in London Road on Sunday July 5 through the rear fire exit. Prosecutor Ann Evans told St Albans Crown Court that he went upstairs to an office and then opened a bedroom door in the staff quarters, waking up the person who was sleeping there. As he left, he picked up two bags belonging to members of staff that had been left in the corridor. The police were called and McKay was arrested the next day after being recognised on CCTV. McKay, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary – one was domestic, relating to the staff quarters, and the other commercial, regarding the office. He had 44 previous court appearances for 194 offences. On 26 August he had been jailed for four weeks for shoplifting. Alex Britton, defending, said he had visited the burglary scene himself. He said his client could not read and did not release he had entered the staff living area. He said: ‘It was only a three second incursion into domestic premises. It was not a particularly planned. He saw the opportunity with the rear door open.” Mr Britton said McKay had been in and out of institutions all his life and first went into custody when he was 13. He had a drug problem, but since being held in custody he had reduced his methadone prescription, was attending courses and was now an ‘enhanced listener’. Judge Andrew Bright QC told him: “You have a truly dreadful record. At the time of the offence you were on bail (for the shoplifting)”. McKay must also pay the new court charge of £900.