TWO men from Accrington have appeared in court following a break in at Masjid Bilal Islamic Centre in Prestwich.

Appearing from custody at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Morgan Parkinson, 37, of Within Grove, Accrington, pleaded guilty to charges relating to the burglary on February 11 this year.

Parkinson pleaded guilty to one count of burglary after he entered the centre on Bury Old Road and stole a sound recording system and two safes and their contents.

He also admitted a charge of possessing a Class B drug, cannabis, with intent to supply.

The court heard that on February 12 this year, Dylan Brown, 25, of Moss Hall Road, Accrington, was convicted at Greater Manchester Magistrates Court, of driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified and burglary.

Judge Bernadette Baxter said that she required pre-sentence reports on both men before proceeding to sentencing.

"Given the overlap of their offending they need to be sentenced for these matters together," she added.

"Mr Parkinson is a seasoned enough campaigner in the criminal justice system to know what the likely sentence is to be."

Judge Baxter adjourned the hearing and both Parker and Brown will return to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for sentencing on April 8.