Burglar avoids jail time despite being caught stealing
MAN WAS ‘LURKING’ ON COLLEGE CAMPUS
A SERIAL burglar with more than 30 convictions to his name has been given a community order despite being caught stealing from Hull College while serving a suspended sentence.
Dominic Kennedy was caught helping himself to tools from the College in April 2020 when a cleaner spotted him.
The brave woman shouted “oi!” after spotting him on campus, before Kennedy lied claiming he was a member of staff.
The 52-year-old had, in fact, snuck onto the premises and stole a hammer, screwdriver and gloves from an old train carriage which was being fixed up by students.
After arousing suspicions, the cleaner later reported Kennedy to another member of staff who found CCTV of him trying doors.
Hull Crown Court heard Kennedy, who is from Bradford, but recently moved to Hull for a fresh start after getting clean from heroin, was seeking help for a neurological condition and at the time was suffering from “blackouts”.
He’d previously been given a suspended sentence for two counts of battery and three counts of possessing a threatening weapon.
Normally, most defendants who receive a suspended prison sentence can expect to go straight to jail if they re-offend in a given time period. But a judge on Wednesday told Kennedy that he would give him the benefit of the doubt with a community order for the theft.
Prosecuting the case, Sam Sharp said Kennedy had brazenly told the cleaner he was a staff member looking to get into teaching when she struck up a conversation with him.
After seeing him acting suspiciously on CCTV however, the police were called and later searched Kennedy’s home discovering the stolen items.
The court heard Kennedy also had 31 convictions spanning from 1988, including numerous stints in prison for various burglaries.
Rachel Scott, in defence, told the court her client “can’t really explain why he’s done this” as he couldn’t remember it.
“He is deeply remorseful; and deeply embarrassed to be back here,” said Ms Scott.
Sentencing Kennedy, Judge Fanning gave him a community order as well as making a rehabilitation order.
“It’s fair to say you were lurking on the campus and you appeared to be intoxicated,” said the judge.
“Any more offending will see you go back to prison - you certainly won’t get a second chance.”