TWO bungling burglars who had to be rescued by firefighters admitted they had embarked on a "botched job".

Lloyd Crawford Hunter, 21, of Calvert Close, Haxby, York, and Christopher Trevor Thompson, 28, of Alcuin Avenue, Tang Hall, York, formed a plan to raid Lander's Butchers, in Baxtergate, Whitby, to steal meat to sell on.

Sally Howard, speaking for Thompson, told Scarborough magistrates: "This offence occurred simply because he (Thompson) had drunk too much on that night and he had a substantial amount of debt which was troubling him to the extreme.

"He was discussing ways that he could make money and he foolishly got on to ways he could make money unlawfully and this plan was hatched."

Thompson, who had drunk ten pints of beer, travelled to Whitby with Hunter in the early hours of May 26.

Vilma Vodanovic, prosecuting, said: "They came across a safe in the office and used a hammer found in the butcher's, and a crowbar they had brought with them, to smash away the concrete."

Miss Vodanovic said a woman heard the racket and called the police.

Thompson and Hunter fled to the roof where police told them to stay put until the fire brigade arrived.

Mrs Howard said: "This was an unsophisticated attempt, a botched job that led in effect to Mr Thompson being rescued from the roof.

"He is very remorseful about this - he bitterly regrets that he embarked on the offence that night."

Both Hunter and Thompson pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to steal.

Thompson was given 200 hours' community punishment and ordered to pay £264 compensation, with £60 costs. He was also told to forfeit his tools.

Hunter's case was adjourned to August 1 for reports.

Updated: 10:44 Saturday, July 12, 2003