Burgler put back behind bars again
MAN REOFFENDS - JUST TWO WEEKS AFTER HIS RELEASE
A SERIAL burglar has been locked up again after he carried out yet another theft - just two weeks after his release from prison.
Kirk Watson, who has around 40 previous convictions for burglary, was released on July 12 after serving his last sentence.
However, a fortnight later, he was back in trouble again.
The 34-year-old stole three bottles of Vodka, worth around £380, from Filthy’s bar in the Bigg Market, Newcastle - a venue he had targeted before.
He was arrested and put before North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted to the offence of burglary other than dwelling.
After his latest offence, he told probation officers he was short of money when he came out of prison.
Tom Iceton, on behalf of Watson, told the court: “This gentleman clearly has a bad record.
“He did come out of prison on July 12. He had about £46, that is all he had.
“He had nowhere to live at the time. He lives in supported accommodation now.”
He said steps were being taken to address Watson’s problems.
He added: “The groundwork has already been done to help him.
“Lack of accommodation, lack of money - that is being looked at.
“If you send him to prison he loses that accommodation and starts from scratch.”
However Watson, of Tatham Street, Sunderland, was jailed for 22 weeks.
District Judge Bernard Begley told him: “I had a close look at your record.
“I have lost count of the number of burglaries you have committed. It isapproaching 40.
“That is what you do. You come out of prison and what do you do?
“Exactly what you normally do - go and burgle someone’s property.
“You started back into burglary again. I have a duty to protect people’s property from you.”
On top of the five and a half months in prison, Watson was given an extra 28 days in jail in lieu of more than £2,000 he owed to the courts.