Woman found with knife during theft investigation
A WOMAN found with a knife as police investigated a theft in the city has avoided being sent to prison.
Magistrates made the decision to suspend Leoni Clare’s 12-week prison term despite being found in possession of the lock knife in Coventry on April 28.
Officers were trying to track down a thief who had stolen a doctor’s bag in Hillfields a few days earlier when they came across 33-year-old Clare.
She was originally arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, but was later charged with possession of an offensive weapon.
Clare, of the Allesley Hotel, pleaded guilty at Coventry Magistrates’ Court and was handed the suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay £100 court costs and a £122 victim surcharge.
She also failed to comply with supervision requirements following release from prison and was fined a further £100.
The woman who carried out the theft of the doctor’s bag in Hillfields on April 22 - Sabrina Moustakim - was jailed for eight weeks after admitting the offence.
Other cases heard at Coventry Magistrates’ Court between May 1 and 6 included: Imran Qumar, 44, of no fixed address, admitted stealing training shoes, using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, and going equipped for theft (drill bit).
He was sent to prison for 21 weeks due to “record of previous offending” and ordered to £220 compensation and a £128 victim surcharge.
Catalin Aldescu, 40, of Howley Grange Road, Birmingham, admitted going equipped for theft (altered backpack) in Solihull.
He was given a community order including a three-month curfew with an electronic tag from 7pm-7am and ordered to pay £185 court costs and a £90 victim surcharge.
Martin Cawley, 34, of Cashmore Road, Bedworth, admitted fraud by false representation by using a stolen credit card, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
He was sent to prison for seven months, banned from driving for 19 months and ordered to pay £122 victim surcharge.
Rakesh Kumar, 49, of no fixed address, admitted causing £125 worth of damage to a cashpoint at Natwest, causing damage to a police van cage belonging to West Midlands Police and causing damage to a police cell belonging to West Midlands Police.
He was handed a nine-week prison sentence suspended for a year, made subject to a restraining order and ordered to pay a total of £375 compensation and a £128 victim surcharge.
Samuel Mclean, 42, of Portland Street, Cosby, admitted causing £150 worth of damage to household items and two counts of assault by beating.
He was handed a 16-week prison sentence suspended for two years, given a two-month curfew with an electronic tag from 7pm-7am, made subject to a restraining order and ordered to pay £85 compensation and a £128 victim surcharge.
William Galloway, 40, of Park Avenue, Holbrooks, admitted assault by beating and failing to comply with supervision requirements following release from prison.
He was handed a 16-week prison sentence suspended for a year, given an exclusion order, fined £100 and ordered to pay £50 court costs and a £128 victim surcharge.
Balbir Bains, 59, of Edyth Road, Wyken, admitted failing to provide a specimen and breaching a restraining order.
He was sent to prison for 16 weeks, banned from driving for five years, had his restraining order extended and was ordered to pay £100 court costs and a £122 victim surcharge.