TWO women and a man have admitted assisting a burglary at Burford Garden Company.

The trio, plus another woman on a separate charge, changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty on the second morning of their trial at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

Danny O’Loughlin, who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence, admitted aiding and abetting the burglary that took place at the Shilton Road garden centre on December 11.

In his basis of plea, which was accepted by the prosecution, the 36-year-old said he had reconnoitred the building during a previous visit but had done so without the intent to commit a specific burglary.

He said he was then asked about the vulnerability of the site and passed on the information.

O’Loughlin, who was caught driving an Audi RS6 on the A40 at Burford on the day of the burglary, had already admitted driving while disqualified at a previous hearing.

Dawn Dulake, 51, and Karley Gill, 32, admitted handling stolen clothes taken in the raid. A fourth woman, 34-year-old Faye Johnson, was initially charged in connection with the burglary but these counts were dropped after she admitted a separate offence of handling a stolen dress taken in January.

Recorder Simon Blackford indicated he would not jail O’Loughlin for more than 36 weeks, consecutive to his current prison sentence, but adjourned sentencing until July 27.

The three women, who, along with O’Loughlin, are all from Cleeve Prior, Worcestershire, were bailed.