Jail for serial offending ‘deaf mute’ over stolen camcorder

A BELFAST man whose claims to be deaf mute were branded a “charade” in court has been jailed after writing down his guilty plea for a dishonesty charge.

The case was initially brought with an accompanying charge of failing to comply with sex offender notification, but these matters were split and the dishonesty offence dealt with on its own.

Abraham Jakobovits (42), of Fortwilliam Gardens, was sentenced to five months imprisonment last week after being remanded in custody since arrest.

Several applications for bail have been unsuccessful, with a number of judges heavily critical of his silence in court.

He had initially denied dishonestly receiving a Sony camcorder stolen from Clogher Valley Free Presbyterian Church, Fivemiletown, on a date between December 18 and 22, 2017.

At a previous hearing at Dungannon Crown Court, Judge Stephen Fowler QC permitted Jakobovitstowritedownhis‘not guilty’ plea, but warned he would not set a precedent for pending proceedings.

A defence barrister had advised: “My client will not communicate with the court for one reason or another,” and requested the plea was in written form.

A prosecution lawyer was critical of this, saying: “There is no medical evidence in support of the defendant’s conduct.

“The question therefore is if he is in contempt of court by the position he is choosing to adopt.”

Following consideration, Judge Fowler ruled a written plea was acceptable “on this occasion”.

With the not guilty plea entered, Jakobovits was returned to custody with a trial scheduled for April, however, he was back in the dock within 24 hours to write down a plea of guilty, which was accepted by the judge.

In court Jakobovits stood in the dock and, following a brief adjournment, defence lawyers requested the case proceed to sentencing in absence of any further reports.

The details of the case were not fully disclosed, but it was initially asserted Jakobovits unlawfully entered the church premises and stole the camcorder.

But on committal to trial, this was amended to dishonestly handling the camcorder, knowing it to be stolen.

He was also charged with being a convicted sex offender who failed to comply with notification requirements from October 10, 2017 until arrest.

The defence successfully applied to have the charges split and dealt with separately as there was no direct link.

The prosecution highlighted Jakobovits had two separate criminal records each relating to differing identities, and operated under 23 aliases.

One “serious matter” was dealt with in England at Plymouth Crown Court, then others in Belfast, for which Jakobovits received a custodial sentence, then a period of licence, which he breached with the current incident.

As well as a sexual conviction, Jakobovits has a vast record for burglary, theft, dishonesty, assaulting police, and criminal damage, amongst others, it was revealed.

The defence confirmed the camcorder was found in his client’s possession, adding that it had since been returned to the owners intact.

He pointed out Jakobovits had been free for 50 days when arrested, leading to the revoking of his licence, and he is currently serving out the full sentence.

Judge Fowler imposed a further sentence of five months imprisonment.