Burglar’s prison term cut
COURT OF APPEAL CUTS DRUG ADDICT’S SENTENCE BY A THIRD
Reporter A BURGLAR who turned to crime to feed his “drug habit” has had his four-and-a-halfyear jail term cut.
Thomas Hall, 27, of Slatyford Lane, Denton, Newcastle, was locked up after admitting seven burglaries and one attempted break-in.
He also asked for another burglary and attempted burglary to be taken into consideration.
The Court of Appeal in London heard Hall’s crime spree took place between February 22 and March 1 this year in the Gosforth area.
He would knock on the door or ring the doorbell of homes to check if the home-owners were away.
Hall would then go to the back of the properties and break in to steal cash and jewellery.
The total value of the items stolen and the damage caused was around £5,000, Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said.
Hall had five previous convictions for theft, four of which were shoplifting, the court heard.
The judge who jailed him at Carlisle Crown Court on May 5 said he carried out the crimes “to feed his drug habit”.
But today his barrister, Geoff Knowles, told the court of appeal that Hall’s jail term was far too harsh and should be cut.
Mr Knowles said Hall had “fully cooperated” with police, including taking officers to a cache of the most recently stolen goods.
The barrister also told the court that Hall was “not heavily convicted” and had a troubled background.
Mr Justice Baker said: “We consider that there is merit in Hall’s submissions.
He went on to say that it was Hall’s first spell behind bars and his four-and-a-half year sentence was “too long”.
The judge, sitting with Lord Justice Hamblen and Judge Michael Topolski QC, reduce Hall’s jail term to three years.