Man Jailed For Looting The Club That Hosted His Wedding Reception

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A groom locked up for looting the club where his wedding was held will become a dad in jail.

Christopher Richards, 25, usher George Taylor and two others stole booze, computers and DVDS worth nearly £23,000 and caused £24,000 in damage during the burglary.

Just six months earlier, kind-hearted club boss Catherine Murphy gave him and partner Bridie Sparks a half-price ­champagne buffet as the couple were broke, a court heard.

Catherine, 34, said she was so “tortured” by the betrayal she tried to kill herself.

In a statement to Burnley crown court she said: “When I heard who had done it, I burst into tears.

“It’s shaken my belief in people and I hope I’ll be a better judge of character in future.”

Richards gave himself up after CCTV caught him in the act at the Hub Club, in Bacup, Lancashire.

Judge Jonathan Gibson told the court: “It was the most dreadful offence of commercial burglary, which left the owner devastated.”

But pregnant Bridie, who was herself jailed for assault in 2011, has vowed to support her husband.

She said: “I’m standing by my man because I love him and nobody is perfect.

“On the night of the incident he came back drunk and I knew instantly he had done something wrong. It was an act of stupidity.”

Bridie, who has two ­children with ­Richards, will give birth to his third while he serves a six-month sentence.

Taylor, 24, was jailed for five years after ­admitting burglary and an unrelated charge of wounding with intent.