'˜Burglar' went back to ask for lost phone!

The allegation was made during a bail application on behalf of Kyle Nigel Parke (24), of Shanowen, faces four burglary charges, along with further charges of attempted burglary and possession of class B and class C drugs.

The charges relate to a number of burglaries in the Ballymena and Bushmills areas on February 24 and 25.

Objecting to bail, a PSNI detective constable told the court that Parke is being investigated in relation to a further four burglaries as well as the ones with which he is already charged.

“There was an Aladdin’s Cave of property at his home address,” the officer added.

Parke barrister Michael Smyth said attempts to find suitable hostel accommodation outside of Ballymena had not yet proved fruitful.

“The police case is that Mr Parke dropped his mobile phone while burgling one of these houses and then had the stupidity to go back and ask for it.

“He basically identified himself to the victim as the perpetrator.

“His second mistake was keeping all the items from the burglaries in his house.

“He seems to burgle people close to where he lives, which is his third mistake - he is not a sophisticated criminal by any means,” the barrister added.

District Judge Des Perry released Parke on his own bail of £500, subject to the defendant securing accommodation approved by police in Belfast.

He is also subject to a curfew between 10pm and 7am and is banned from entering Ballymena and Bushmills, unless for legal and medical appointments.

He was also ordered to report to police three times a week.

Parke was remanded to appear again at Ballymena Magistrates Court on March 31.

The judge told Parke: “I think you need to take a career break and look for new ways of channelling your productive powers because burglary doesn’t suit you.”