THE trial of a 31-year old burglar facing over 80 charges was halted today after he pleaded guilty to a number of break-ins.
Samuel Crawford, from Glasgow Street in Belfast, admitted a total of 15 offences committed over a year-long period - including eight burglaries, four car thefts, two thefts and one of going equipped for theft.
Crawford was due to go on trial at the city's Crown Court when his defence lawyer asked for him to be re-arraigned on a number of the charges he faced.
Following his guilty pleas a prosecutor told Judge Geoffrey Miller QC that he would not be proceeding with a number of other charges, and would ask for them "to be left on the books", while a number of others would be "taken into account."
Judge Miller, adjourning sentence until next month, directed that the Crown opening, together with pre-sentence and other reports, be handed into court, along with any relevant authorities the defence or prosecution wished to put forward.
