Teesside couple appear in court after stolen goods found in their home

A couple who were found to have stolen property in their home following two burglaries have avoided jail.

Pregnant Emma Jane Elso and Daniel Paul Conroy appeared at Teesside Crown Court today charged with handling stolen goods.

Elso, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of the crime and Conroy, 29, pleaded guilty to two counts.

The court heard that following two burglaries in Middlesbrough, stolen property was found in the couple’s home address on Portman Street in the town.

The first burglary happened on July 6 this year at a property on St Aidens Street, Middlesbrough.

Prosecutor, Sue Jacobs, told the court that following a tip off, police discovered the break-in. The occupant then discovered a washing machine and gym equipment, including a weight bench and a barbell, were among items stolen.

Police later went to the home of the defendants and discovered some of the stolen items inside.

“They recovered the washing machine, barbell and metal weights,” said Miss Jacobs.

At a later date and following another burglary on Wicklow Street in Middlesbrough, police found a stolen laptop in Conroy’s possession.

“He said it wasn’t his and that he had purchased it the night before,” said Miss Jacobs.

Uzma Kahn, defending Conroy, told the court that the 29-year-old’s offending is “motivated” by his drug use.

“He is trying to take positive steps and move forward and lead a drug-free life,” she said.

Rachel Dyson, defending Elso, said the expectant mother has suffered with drug and alcohol abuse in her life.

“She is completely drug and alcohol free now,” she said.

Judge Tony Briggs sentenced Elso, now of Snowdon Street, Eston, to an 18-month community order with supervision.

Conroy, of Portman Street, Middlesbrough, was given a two-year community order with supervision, a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 60 hours unpaid work.