A MAN who admitted to burgling a property told a court he made a “mistake” and entered after he saw the building was “open”.

Adham Khamis appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday afternoon to issue a plea to a charge of a burglary at an address on Golborne Dale Road, in Newton-le-Willows, on Sunday, February 4.

A necklace, a watch and a Skoda car key were stolen in the burglary.

The 22-year-old, of Heath Street, Golborne, appeared before judge David Potter by video link from custody, and communicated via an Arabic interpreter.

When the charge was put to him for him to enter his his plea, Khamis initially responded: “I made a mistake and I regret doing so, I didn’t have any intention to steal anything but the building was open and I went in.

“I was just trying to tell you the reasons of what I did.”

To clarify his plea, the charge was read to him again and Khamis said: “guilty”.

When the judge asked whether sentencing could take place immediately, Khamis’ defence barrister Mr Birrell said: “I think the Crown wishes to obtain a victim personal statement from the homeowner despite the fact she hadn’t lived at the property for some years so sentencing it seems cannot take place.”

Prosecutor Derek Jones confirmed “there’s a specific request to make a victim personal statement”.  

Khamis’ sentencing was adjourned until Friday, April 5.

Judge David Potter said to the defendant: “This case is going to be adjourned for the victim to provide a statement and I am going to order a pre-sentence report.

“It is in your interests to tell the probation officer everything they need to know about you.

“At this stage all sentencing options including immediate imprisonment must remain open.

“Your guilty plea will result in a reduction of your sentence but the nature or form of the sentence will be decided on April 5. You will appear by video link.

“In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.”