By Joe Yates 

A BURGLAR broke into Bolton Golf Club after hearing he was set to have his right leg amputated.

Kevin Barnes, 54, of Aspinall Court, Horwich, pleaded guilty at Bolton Magistrates Court to breaking into the club, where he used to work, on his birthday, May 22.

The diabetes sufferer said that after he received the call to tell him about the impending surgery: “I just fell to pieces. I am sorry.”

Barnes caused £700 of damage and stole £100 from the till. Mr Stephen Teasdale, defending, said: “He had been dealing with the news that his leg was to be amputated.”

Barnes, who has since lost his right leg, said he believed his diabetes was aggravated during his time working at Bolton Golf Club.

He has lost the vision in his left eye and could be losing his left leg in surgery, tomorrow, said Mr Teasdale.

Though there was CCTV around the club, Mr Barnes was arrested and interviewed by the police months later.

It was the third time in recent years that the club has had similar incidents, the court heard.

Barnes has 38 previous convictions, 113 offences — most of which occurred from the mid 1990s to the late 2000s, with 68 being theft related.

He was sentenced to a 12 week curfew from 7am to 7pm. He must pay £350 damages plus £50 stolen from the till.