Brothers jailed for house burglary spree across Lancashire

Two brothers who carried out a string of house burglaries across Lancashire have been jailed. 

Brian Mooney and Michael Mooney admitted their involvement in two burglary sprees, the first in 2021 and early 2022, the second between late 2022 and February 2024.

In the first spate of burglaries, homes of people working in food takeaway businesses were targeted.

A dozen properties were targeted, all when the householders were out working at food takeaways – that indicating a high degree of planning.

Homes in Darwen, Burnley, Earby, Nelson, Colne, Clayton-le-Moors and Preston, were burgled, as well as in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

Brian Mooney was involved in them all, with Michael Mooney admitting to joining in the plot to burgle houses in March 2022 and accepted involvement in two of the burglaries.

Enquiries found that a car driven by Brian Mooney was seen near to some of the break-ins.

The second burglary spree which was committed between December 2022 and February 2024, saw 21 homes broken into and two further attempted break-ins.

Entry to the houses was generally gained by either smashing the glass in a rear patio door or the glass in a rear conservatory door.

Most of the victims were not at home when the burglars struck.

Houses in Accrington, Haslingden, Great Harwood, Billington, Whalley, Sabden, Clayton-le-Moors, Burnley, Chorley, Lango, Clitheroe, Longridge, Huncoat and Edenfield were either burgled or an attempt made to burgle them. 

Following an investigation by Lancashire Police, the brothers were arrested at their home addresses on 11th March this year.

Brian Mooney, 43, of London Terrace, Darwen, and Michael Mooney, 42, of Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn, both pleaded guilty to two offences of conspiracy to commit dwelling house burglaries.

They also both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal, relating to the theft of large amounts of goods from the Booths store in Burscough on four occasions.

Michael Mooney pleaded guilty to a further offence of conspiracy to steal at Booths in Poulton-le-Fylde and Homebase in Clitheroe.

When they appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court Sessions House last week (7th November), Brian Mooney was jailed for 12 years, and Michael Mooney was jailed for eight years.

Det Sgt Fergus Bailey of the East CID Burglary Team, said: “House burglaries cause misery for the victims, a break-in can make them feel unsafe and vulnerable in their own home.

“If there is a burglary at a house on a street, that can cause anxiety to neighbours and other people in the area who think that their home could be at risk of being burgled.

“Brian Mooney and Michael Mooney were involved in these two burglary sprees which saw a number of houses targeted in Lancashire.

“There was a degree of planning in the first group of burglaries in which efforts were made to see where victims worked and then burgle their homes when they were out at work.

“This was despicable behaviour, and I welcome the lengthy sentences passed on them by the judge at Crown Court.

“Lancashire Police take all reports of burglary seriously and will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.”