A PERSISTENT burglar from Winsford who targeted the Red Lion pub and the Salvation Church over the weekend has been jailed for a year.

David McElligott, of Granville Square, admitted responsibility for five burglaries in Winsford over the past five months, including four offences while on conditional bail.

The 43-year-old's crime spree began when he broke into a tattoo parlour in Fountain Court in the early hours of Wednesday, February 26.

McElligott stole a large quantity of tattooing equipment from the premises and was subsequently identified as the offender via CCTV footage.

He was charged with the burglary and released on conditional bail on Tuesday, March 17.

While awaiting the conclusion of that case, McElligott broke into The Salvation Army church in Weaver Street on Tuesday, April 7, and stole a small quantity of cash.

He then attempted to steal a laptop from a kitchen workshops business in Bradford Road on Friday, April 10.

After breaking into the premises, McElligott was disturbed by the police, but he managed to flee the scene.

McElligott went on to commit two further burglary offences in the early hours of Saturday, June 6.

He broke into the Red Lion, in Wharton Road, and stole small quantities of cash and alcohol.

McElligott then targeted The Salvation Army church for a second time this year, but left empty handed after breaking in.

CCTV footage established that McElligott was responsible for the two burglary offences on Saturday.

He was arrested at his home the following day, and when questioned in custody McElligott admitted committing the offences, as well as the two burglaries in April.

The following day he appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court, via a video link.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary in relation to the offences on February 26 and June 6, and was jailed for a year.

The burglaries committed in April were taken into consideration upon sentencing.

Det Con Mark Sherratt, who led the investigations into McElligott’s offending, said: “Burglary is a serious offence.

“As well as stealing a large quantity of tattooing equipment and small quantities of cash and alcohol during his crime spree, McElligott caused damage to all the buildings he targeted.

“But what makes his offending particularly repellent is the fact that he twice targeted a church and committed four of the burglaries whilst on conditional bail.

“I am delighted that this persistent burglar is now behind bars facing the consequences of his actions and I hope that this case deters others from committing similar offences.”