A burglary gang has admitted targeting a Norfolk dog kennel business during a foiled armed break-in five years ago.

Three men from Kent appeared at Norwich Crown Court accused of an attempted break-in at Ocobo Kennels near Shouldham Thorpe, between Downham Market and Marham, in October 2019.

The attempted burglary at Ocobo Kennels in 2019 involved the use of an imitation firearmThe attempted burglary at Ocobo Kennels in 2019 involved the use of an imitation firearm (Image: Google)

John Clarke, 34, Levi Coates, 25, and Riley Scamp, 30, had been due to stand trial having previously pleaded not guilty to aggravated burglary with an imitation firearm.

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But on the day of the trial Coates, of Hextable near Swanley in Kent, and Scamp, formerly of Faversham but who appeared in custody from prison, admitted lesser charges of attempted burglary. 

John Clarke and Levi Coates pleaded guilty at Norwich Crown CourtJohn Clarke and Levi Coates pleaded guilty at Norwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Clarke, also from Hextable, pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and causing others to be in fear of violence through possession of an air rifle.

The trio are said to have attempted to break into a kennels block at the isolated rural dog homing business. 

They will be sentenced on August 8. 

Recorder John Hardy warned them they faced possible jail sentences. He warned Clarke: “You in particular are at real risk.”