THIEVES, one wearing a pair of sliders, entered the closed Craven Heifer pub in Skipton hoping to find something to steal, but left empty-handed, a court heard.

Kian Jones, 19, and Jacob Ratayak, 33, both from Leeds, were watched on monitoring equipment by a security guard working for the charitable trust that owns the property on Grassington Road.

Owners, the Tarn Moor Trust, installed security equipment following repeated break-ins at the pub, which has been closed since July last year, heard Skipton Magistrates Court on Friday.

The court heard the trust had installed CCTV, fencing and sensors after being told by its insurance company the building could not be insured otherwise.

On the night of May 10, the chair of the trustees received an alert on his phone and called the police. A security guard watched on a CCTV monitor as Jones and Ratayak, both with their faces covered, entered the pub before coming out 16 minutes later empty-handed and heading off across the car park.

When the police arrived a short while later there was a Ford Transit van parked in the car park, the court heard. Jones, who was in the vehicle cab told the officers he had gone out to get away from his partner, and informed them his friend was in the back of the van. Inside the vehicle was an angle-grinder and bolt-croppers.

In an impact statement, chair of trustees for the Tarn Moor Trust, Anthony Barrett, said everyone who worked for the trust was a volunteer and it was very disappointing that anyone would steal from a charity.

Ratayak and Jones both pleaded guilty to attempted burglary; Ratayak, of Springbank Road, Gildersome, was on court bail at the time; while Jones, of Fawcett Gardens, Wortley, was of previous good character. Neither, the court was told were aware the pub belonged to a charity.

Keith Blackwell, mitigating for Jones, said it was clear that the Craven Heifer had been empty for some time and had become a target for thieves. He said the two men had parked up and seeing the property appeared to be derelict thought they'd go in and have a look. They denied that the door they had entered through had been securely padlocked.

Jones had been wearing a balaclava because it was late at night and cold. There was nothing of significance inside, and they had left.

"My client has been extremely foolish, he has abandoned his good character on a fruitless exploit. This was not a sophisticated burglary, it was very amateurish; he was unaware it was owned by a charity, as far as he knew, it was just a deserted building, " said Mr Blackwell.

Ratayak, the court heard in mitigation, was a landscape gardener, and was due to join the army. He had not planned to go thieving and had been wearing sliders on his feet at the time, described by his solicitor as 'not the ideal choice'.

The magistrates bench chair told Ratayak and Jones it was the most incompetent attempt at burglary he had heard for some time. Sentencing was adjourned to Harrogate Magistrates Court on June 27 for reports.