A BUILDER is facing jail after confessing to stealing three First World War medals which were presented to an East Lancashire soldier.

Gary WIlliams, 48, took the 1914-15 Star, British War medal and Allied Victory medal, presented to the late Thomas Henry Lord, of Sabden, from his granddaughter’s Burnley home earlier this year.

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Royal British Legion officials condemned the theft and Jean Sanderson launched a public appeal for their return on behalf of the family.

Williams, of Griffin Close, Burnley, has now appeared before the town’s crown court and admitted burglary at Mrs Sanderson’s home in Ronald Street, Rosegrove, between March 19 and April 20. He also took a silver flute belonging to her daughter Jennifer.

He was bailed for pre-sentence and psychiatric reports on condition he does not approach the victim, or enter Ronald Street, before he is sentenced.

Recorder Anthony McLoughlin told him: “While you are being granted bail, all sentencing options remain open when you are eventually sen-tenced for this matter.”

At an earlier hearing before magistrates, it was said that Williams had been carrying out work on the outside of Mrs Sanderson’s home when she allowed him to use the toilet.

But he stole into a bedroom at the property and removed the medals, which had been awarded to Mrs Sanderson’s late grandfather, as well as the musical instrument. The medals have been recovered.

Appealing for the medals’ return, Mrs Sanderson branded the thief as ‘sick’. The medals, engraved with the soldier’s name, TH Lord, had been kept in a chest of drawers.

Mr Lord served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Alexandria, Egypt and had been left to Mrs Sanderson by her aunt, Ursula Lord.