Burglar jailed over crime spree at school, clubs and chemist

Terence Link, 41, was arrested after the raid on the pharmacy was captured on CCTV and he left his blood at the scene of the break-in.

Link smashed a glass door and forced shutters to get in to Ash Grove Pharmacy, Knottingley, in the early hours of April 25 this year.

Link then stole 50 boxes of diazepam tablets, a charity box containing cash and £500 from the till.

Heather Gilmore, prosecuting, said Link caused £2,000 worth of damage.

Link was arrested on May 7 after forensic evidence was examined.

Link, of Aire Walk, Knottingley, initially claimed he had not carried out the break-in and said someone must have “planted” his DNA at the scene.

He later pleaded guilty to burglary.

He also asked the court to take three further offences into consideration by the court.

They included raids on Knottingley Conservative Club and Knottingley Rugby Club during which charity boxes were stolen from both clubs.

He also admitted a burglary at a primary school.

Link has 19 previous convictions, including eight for offences of burglary dating back to 1990.

Jayne Cooper, mitigating, said Link’s offending was carried out to feed his addiction to crack cocaine.

She said Link had managed to stay out of trouble for six years but returned to crime after he began using class A drugs again as a result of family problems.

He was jailed for two years, four months.