The trial of two women, who denied being involved in a violent burglary during which a man was shot in the head with an air pistol, has ended after they admitted stealing a mobile from the property.

Before Ipswich Crown Court today (Wednesday) were Emma Hales, 31, of Denmark Road, Lowestoft, and Hayley Capps, 30, of St Edmunds Crescent, Kessingland.

They had denied aggravated burglary at a flat in High Street, Lowestoft, on August 27 last year with 19-year-old Thomas Dale and 25-year-old Daniel Howarth and a less serious charge of burglary, during which cash and drugs were allegedly stolen.

However, on the third day of their trial, Hales and Capps pleaded guilty to burglary at the flat and stealing a mobile phone and this plea was accepted by the prosecution.

Judge Martyn Levett told the women he was considering passing suspended sentences on them and adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports to be prepared on them.

He said Capps accepted being a lookout during the burglary and Hales accepted entering the premises and recovering a mobile phone that had been withheld at the property.

Dale, of no fixed address, has admitted possessing an imitation firearm, namely an air gun, having ammunition in a public place, aggravated burglary and causing grievous bodily harm to his victim with intent while Howarth, of Carlton Square, Carlton Colville, has admitted aggravated burglary. They are both awaiting sentence.

The court heard that during the burglary the victim was grappling with an intruder in his bedroom when he felt something pressed against the back of his head and turned to see Dale holding a gun.

Dale told the man: 'You are going to die' and the victim then heard the gun go off repeatedly.

The victim knocked the gun out of Dale's hand and he and Dale started fighting. While this was going on Howarth had picked up a metal bar and hit the man with it.

Following the incident the victim was found to have a pellet embedded in the right side of his head, which was removed under a local anaesthetic and another in his neck which was removed under general anaesthetic.