Two men were given prison sentences today after pleading guilty to an attempted burglary at the Varyl Begg Social Club last month.

Riyen Lea, 37, of the Varyl Begg Estate and Mohamed Ahmed, 33, of no fixed address, were both sentenced at the Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that at around 1am on Saturday 7 September, a member of the public in a nearby residence called the RGP Control Room to report that they could see persons attempting to break into the social club.

At around the same time, another member of the public with a dog chased the two suspects from the area.

On police arrival, officers chased the men on foot, before arresting Lea in Romney Hut Car Park on Queensway. On being searched he was found with a tyre iron on him. Officers continued searching for the other suspect, and found Ahmed hiding under a parked car near a bag with a metal implement in. 

Both were arrested on suspicion of Attempted Burglary and Going Equipped. Later that same day, they were both charged with those same offences. In addition, Lea was charged with Carrying an Offensive Weapon in a Public Place and Obstructing Police. Ahmed was further charged with Obstructing Police.

Lea was sentenced to 12 weeks and remanded in prison. Ahmed was sentenced to 9 weeks in prison, but due to time already served, was released.