Prolific thief faces time behind bars after more offences

A prolific Peterborough crook described as ‘a one man crime wave’ is once again facing time behind bars after admitting a number of offences.

Paul Priestly, (41), of Scalford Drive has received many prison sentences for stealing from cars and other offences - despite making a number of promises to leave his criminal ways behind him.

He was given a 14 month jail sentence at Peterborough Crown Court in October last year, after he was spotted trying car door handles in Peterborough.

Judge Sean Enright labelled him as a ‘menace to car owners’ at the hearing.

This week he appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court - eight months after his previous court appearance - where he admitted three offences - including interfering with a vehicle with intention of theft. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), relating to breaching a curfew.

His CBO, which will remain in place until March 2023, has a condition banning him from touching unattended cars.

He has been remanded into custody to appear at Peterborough Crown Court next month for sentencing.

The career crook has more than 140 crimes recorded against him, and many of his convictions include dozens of offences taken into consideration.

Priestley was given a 30 month prison sentence in March 2018 after admitting breaking into more than 150 cars in the south of the city. As he was sentenced he vowed to put his life of crime behind him when he was released from jail - but just a few weeks after being released, he was back before the courts again.

At his sentencing hearing last year, Judge Enright said: “You have a staggering number of convictions. Stealing from cars is what you do. You have become a menace to people who have cars. You have exhausted all lines of mitigation.”

Paul Priestley