Man admits bid to murder Beaumont Lodge

Aug 2 2008 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A MAN has admitted to trying to kill a pensioner in a botched burglary – just days before he was due to stand trial.

Homeless Owen McCann appeared before Bradford Crown Court yesterday when he pleaded guilty to attempting to murder 82-year-old Beaumont Lodge.

The father-of-four was critically injured in a hammer attack when McCann went into his Clayton West home in March.

Mr Lodge spent months in hospital and was sitting in a wheelchair in court surrounded by members of his family to hear McCann admit to the murder bid and also a charge of aggravated burglary.

McCann accepted that he had a hammer with him when he went into Mr Lodge's home at The Royds with intent to steal.

The Honorary Recorder of Bradford Judge Stephen Gullick adjourned McCann's sentence hearing until September 11, but he indicated that he would have to consider whether he should be dealt with as a dangerous offender.