Crack addict with 81 convictions raided restaurant while out of prison on licence

A CRACK addict who committed a burglary whilst on prison licence from a previous burglary walked free after a judge was told he ‘thrives on positive reinforcement’.

Marc Price, left, broke into a Subway restaurant and caused £500 worth of damage whilst stealing a British Heart Foundation charity box. Newcastle Crown Court was told that at the time of the offence Price, who has a 20-year drug problem, was on post-release licence for a previous burglary and had seven burglaries and a robbery on his record of 81 convictions.

Judge Sarah Mallett asked to hear from a probation officer who told her: ‘Mr Price tells me that he very much thrives on positive reinforcement, it might just be the time for Mr Price now.’

Rather than sending the 39-year-old back to prison for the offence which took place near his home in Blyth, Northumberland, the judge deferred sentencing for four months.

However, she warned that if he committed further offences during that time he really would go to jail.