Retired couple who broke into cottage used on TV in Vera to shelter from storm, shocked as they were nicked for burglary
A RETIRED couple who sheltered from a storm in the cottage used in TV series Vera were shocked when they were nicked for breaking and entering.
Ex-army Doctor Tony Banks broke a window to enter the empty house and lit a fire after Angela Cogan, 69, went into shock from the cold.
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They later alerted the police so that they could compensate the owner of the property on Holy Island. Northumberland.
But instead they were questioned on suspicion of burglary and then charged with causing £1,063 of criminal damage.
They appeared before JPs in Berwick, Northumberland last week.
Their lawyer Ian O'Rourke told the newspaper court: “The weather was downright bad, the temperature was below zero.
“Angela suffered hypothermic shock and Tony fears she will not survive the ordeal.
“Then they came across this house that was featured in a television program.
“He breaks the window to gain access.
“He finds a fire and some matches and lights the fire to warm his partner.
“When he contacted the coastguard and later when questioned by the police, he was willing to pay for the damage caused.
“But they are being interviewed on charges of burglary because they took firewood and a bar of chocolate.
“But now the case comes down to criminal damages.
“To prove the offence, the Crown must show that there was no reasonable excuse.
“Defense is necessary to preserve life.”
The pair, who run an animal sanctuary in Wooler, were stranded on Christmas Day 2022 when their car broke down on the causeway to the mainland.
Angela, 69, is suffering stress and anxiety caused by the case and did not appear in court.
Tony, who served as a medic with the 5th Airborne Brigade in the first Gulf War, said: “Your most important job in life is to take care of your spouse and children.
“Preserve life at all costs.
“I saved a lot of lives in the military doing medical things, and that's what I did here.”
The cottage is home to Brenda Blethyn's character in the ITV drama.
The case was adjourned.