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FOUR young Newport men admitted their parts in an attempted burglary at a Monnow Way flat, in Bettws.  Craig Whitehead, 19, of Monnow Way, Darren Young, 19 of Tees Close, Kieran Havard, 18 of Mill Heath, and Gareth Hazelwood, 17, of Cornbrook Road, pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal on September 22 last year.

Prosecuting, Hywel Hughes, told Newport Crown Court, Amy Peters returned home between 3am and 4am.  She heard a noise and called to her partner, but he was unable to stop Young and Whitehead coming into the flat. 

Havard and Hazelwood stood at the front door.  There was some “shuffling” around before the men ran off in different directions.  Nothing was stolen and no-one was injured.  The men said they hadn’t used any weapons or violence, but Young and Whitehead accepted some “pushing and shuffling” took place.

Defending Young, Claire Pickthall, said it was a spur of the moment group decision to get money for drugs, which he regrets.  She said he's remorseful and has never faced custody before.  Defending Whitehead, Steve Thomas, said Whitehead was drunk and his memory of the night is limited, but he accepts his involvement.  He said Whitehead is turning his life around and hopes to join the territorial army.

Havard’s defence said his involvement was limited and out of character, while Hazelwood’s defence said he’s honest and hardworking.  Judge Roderick Denyer QC called the incident “mindless drunken and drug-fuelled behaviour.”  The court heard that both Young and Whitehead had previous convictions.

Judge Denyer QC said Young had done little to change his life and sentenced him to ten months in a young offenders institution.  Havard and Whitehead were given ten month sentences, but these are suspended for two years. They were ordered to do 180 hours unpaid work and to pay £200 costs.  Hazelwood will be sentenced on August 15 - after his 18th birthday.