Two friends were caught red handed trying to steal copper piping and a boiler from an empty holiday park chalet.

Rory Magee, 25, and Jay Pemberton, 32, climbed through a window in Allhallows Holiday Park, to steal metal from inside, but was seen by security staff, after turning a light on in the building.

Magee, of Avery Way, Allhallows, and Pemberton, who gave his address in court as Gough Walk, Poplar, London, but later admitted he was living in Medway with his dad, pleaded guilty to burglary when they appeared before magistrates in Medway.

The court heard the pair had got into the property, which was closed during the winter season, after noticing a window had been left insecure.

Matthew Quantrill prosecuting, said: “On January 1, a light was seen on and a security guard thought the resident have come back to chalet.
“He knocked on the door and then saw Mr Magee climbing out of the window so he detained him, then Mr Pemberton climbed out.”

Police arrived and were both found with gloves on and the metal piping and boiler were still inside the property.

Police also found text messages on Magee’s phone which related to the burglary.

Pemberton also admitted being in breach of a 24-month conditional discharge he’d been given in April last year for another offence.

The court also heard, how the pair were caught at the scene after hatching a plan to steal the metal after going for a walk and noticing the window was not locked, they thought as some of the chalets were being demolished at the site, this one would be too.

Pemberton was given a 12-month community order for the burglary and the breach offence, which will involve him carrying out 180 hours unpaid work and attending a thinking skills programme. He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs.

Magee, who was seen as the main protagonist in the case, was also given a 12-month community order which will involve him carrying out 200 hours unpaid work.

He was also placed under curfew for one month and was ordered to pay £85 court costs.