Three teenage girls obsessed with exploring abandoned buildings have appeared in court after being caught red-handed in a house undergoing renovation.
Sarah Waltham, now 20 but 19 at the time, Shannon Fowler, 18, and Emily McGhee, 19, broke into a dilapidated former farmhouse after seeing it listed on a website dedicated to so-called urban exploring.
All three had travelled from west Norfolk to Hill Farm House on Wroxham Road at Rackheath, based between Norwich and Wroxham.
They were arrested after the homeowner called police after spotting light from a torch inside the property on January 24.
READ MORE: Alarming ‘urbex’ videos show teenagers rooftopping seven-storey building in Norwich
Rose Edwin, prosecuting at Norwich Magistrates’ Court, said: “The owner of the property resides nearby with his wife and son whilst renovations were being completed and had ensured the main house was locked and secured.
“He noticed a torchlight coming from the kitchen window and investigated. Entry was gained by smashing a window and a glass panel.”
The teenagers were initially charged with burglary but Fowler, of Grosvenor Road in Wisbech, and McGhee, of Prince Henry Place in Downham Market, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of vagrancy.
Waltham, of Paradise Road in Downham Market, had admitted burglary but magistrates agreed to vacate her guilty plea in favour of the alternative charge.
Maya Lal, for Fowler, said: “She has a hobby of touring abandoned buildings and likes looking around them. They got information from a website called UrbanXplor and obtained information and coordinates for this property.
“There was never any intention to steal or commit other offences.”
READ MORE: From police stations to asylums - meet the man who explores Norfolk’s abandoned buildings
Urban exploring - or "urbanex" - sees people accessing buildings and locations not usually accessible to the public. It has become an increasingly popular hobby with participants often posting photos or videos of their adventures online.
James Burrows, for Waltham, said: “This was a misadventure. There was a trust they put in this website.”
Michael Cole, for McGhee, said: “To run such a site is wholly irresponsible and encourages people to unintentionally commit such offences."
Magistrates gave all three a conditional discharge for six months.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article