A YOUNG burglar is waiting to hear his fate after he broke into two churches on the same day.
Matthew Gillard, 24, of Coombes Grove, Rochford, forced his way into St Margaret’s Church, The Green, Stanford-le-Hope, and stole two projectors, keys and two torches.
At Basildon Crown Court, he admitted committing the offence on September 13 and stealing a set of keys from St Michael’s Church, Wharf Road, Fobbing, on the same day.
He was also charged with possessing a lock knife and going equipped to a burglary, but the Crown Prosecution Service dropped these charges.
Gillard appeared in the dock with Daniel Pluck, who is alleged to have helped him burgle St Margaret’s Church.
However, Pluck, 19, of Southern Way, Romford, denied the offence and pleaded not guilty to going equipped to burgle.
He was bailed to stand trial on February 14. Gillard was released on bail for pre-sentence reports.
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