A MAN and woman from the Bradford area took part in a spate of planned burglaries at commercial premises around Skipton, a court heard.

Lewis Kenway, 23, of Kelvin House, Holme Wood, pleaded guilty to four burglaries, which took place in a two-week period in May last year.

Lucy Garrod, 29, of New Lane, Silsden, admitted three of the burglaries.

Prosecutor Katy Rafter told Bradford Crown Court there had been significant financial loss and damage caused.

Miss Rafter said the first burglary took place at Carrs Billington Agriculture, in Gargrave Road, Skipton, in the early hours of May 2.

The intruders had broken in through a first floor window, searched the office and stole a cash box containing Bank Holiday weekend takings of £1,169.

The second raid, which involved Kenway on his own, was at Skipton Hire Centre, in Carleton New Road, on May 6. A cash box containing £200 was stolen.

The court heard that Garrod's Vauxhall Astra, containing the defendants and another man, was used on a "reconnaissance mission" before the third burglary, at Naylor Myers building suppliers on the Snaygill industrial estate in Skipton.

Tools valued at more than £2,000 were stolen.

The final raid took place at Billy Bob's Ice Cream Parlour, at Halton East, near Skipton. A safe containing £3,200was stolen from the office, along with £130 in staff tips and a £350 laptop computer.

Police stopped Garrod in her car, in Valley Road, Shipley, in the early hours of the same morning.

Miss Rafter said Kenway, who was holding the laptop, was hiding in the front passenger footwell.

Two other men were trying to hide in the back.

All three men ran off.

Ice cream tubs containing cash, and a pair of gloves, were found in the car. The stolen tools were found in a search of Garrod's home.

She told police she was not involved in the burglaries and had picked up the men as hitchhikers.

The court heard Kenway had previous convictions for house burglaries, but not since 2011. Garrod had no previous convictions.

Recorder Felicity Davies, sentencing Kenway to nine months imprisonment suspended for two years, said they were planned and thought out offences. But she said Kenway had turned his life around and was now working.

The judge told Garrod her story of picking up hitchhikers was ridiculous and she had been picking up men on a burglary expedition.

Garrod was given a 12-month community order. Both defendants were ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.