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19
Jun
Man admits stealing ex-band mate's musical instruments in Green Hammerton after friendship soured
A man has been sentenced for stealing vintage musical instruments from his former band mate's property in Green Hammerton.
James Lancaster, of Linden Close in York, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal today (June 19).
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told Harrogate Magistrates Court the victim has owned a property in Green Hammerton since 2024.
The property was described as a “storage place and weekend escape” where the victim, a professional musician, stores musical equipment and personal belongings.
A member of the public called the police on May 10 this year when they saw a vehicle parked near the property and thought someone had been “fly-tipping in close proximity” to it, the court heard.
Lancaster had stolen various items between May 7 and 8, including the vintage musical instruments and two bikes.
He later returned the stolen goods, which he had put in several large bags, but had damaged a 1940s saxophone and the property itself.
The offence was initially reported as a fly-tipping incident and Lancaster was identified through his car's number plate.
Lancaster, 60, made a full admission to the offence during a police interview.
The defendant told officers he had known the victim for 30 years, and the men had been “best friends” until a few years before the incident.
Ms Ibbotson said:
The defendant told police the complainant had an affair with his wife.
They used to be in a band together, but the defendant had heard the victim was starting his own band that was identical to their original band.
The defendant said he ‘wanted [victim] to suffer for ruining his life’.
When Lancaster went to the property, he saw a back door was rotting and used a chisel to break in.
He stole 25 boxes of instruments, Ms Ibbotson said, adding:
The defendant said he ‘wanted the victim to feel sad and lonely, like he was made to feel’.
Lancaster also stole two bikes and a speaker.
The court heard the defendant “had a change of heart” after stealing the items and went back to the property on May 10 to return them.
He had kept the stolen goods in his vehicle, but he did not know what to do with them.
Victim 'slumped into a depression'
Liam Jackson, defending, told the court Lancaster is “essentially of perfectly good character”, except for one conviction in 2012.
He said Lancaster previously led a New Orleans-style band for 16 years, which the victim was part of, and had gone on to perform at Glastonbury.
But their relationship soured after the victim “had an affair with Mr Lancaster's wife”, Mr Jackson added.
The court heard:
Mr Lancaster slumped into a depression. There is a degree of bitterness; the victim had plagiarised the band.
But Mr Lancaster reacted in a very poor manner. He was not thinking straight and he was impulsive - he was still in the slump of depression.
He knows it was not the right thing to do.
The defendant is remorseful and admitted what he did, Mr Jackson said.
The chair of the magistrates’ bench told Lancaster the “mental torture you have been suffering led to this depression and to this incident” and described the offence as a “very unusual set of circumstances”.
Lancaster was ordered to pay a total of £645 to the court, comprising a £400 fine, a £160 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
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