TWO men dramatically changed their plea and admitted burglary and the theft of a £26,000 Land Rover in Kidderminster, on the day of their expected trial.

Blake Evans, 20, of Redmore Road, Brierley Hill, and John Worrall, 47, of Namino Road, Kingswinford admitted the offences when they appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday (January 12).

At the start of the hearing Neil Ross, representing Edge, asked for a Goodyear hearing.

This in the process in which a judge - which in this case was Judge Martin Jackson - hears the facts of the case and gives an indication as to what the maximum sentence would be, if the defendant pleaded guilty.

His honour Judge Jackson heard Evans, and co-accused Worrall, had been members of a gang who carried out the burglary that took place at Bramble Patch, Cleobury Road, Kidderminster, on December 9, 2019.

Keys were taken inside property, while the homeowner was there, before the vehicle was stolen, the court heard.

The judge said in considering the maximum sentence the burglary was the more serious charge, with the vehicle theft part of it, and he considered it to be a category 1 offence (greater harm).

The judge said: "It falls into category 1 as Mr Roberts (the victim) was in the dwelling, occupying it by himself, at the time of the offence.

"I have considered the impact of the theft of the vehicle to Mr Roberts (as it was of sentimental value).

"You (Evans) would be due credit of 10 per cent, as the guilty plea was on the day of the trial.

"The maximum would be 27 months in custody.

"I have heard no personal mitigation that could move it down the scale."

After a short adjournment, the case resumed and the pair gave the guilty pleas when the indictment was again put to them.

Mr Ross said he would be prepared to move for sentencing of his client if it was likely he would receive a suspended jail sentence, but Judge Jackson said he wanted a pre-sentence report for both Evans and Worrall, as he wanted to know more about the background.

The judge then told Evans and Worrall to return to the court for their sentencing that was set for December 8.

They were granted unconditional bail.