SERIAL THIEF CORNERED AFTER DRIVING DOWN DEAD-END STREET
‘Wake-up call’ for man who started smoking cannabis at the age of 10
SPEEDING uninsured driver James Latham tried to evade police as they pursued his vehicle.
The 31-year-old was driving a red Fiat Punto linked to several offences when police tried to stop him.
But he refused to pull over, and when he was forced to stop at a dead end, he tried to run away from officers.
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard Latham was detained and was found to have committed a series of thefts.
Prosecutor Alicia Perry said Latham had stolen engine oil from a Shell petrol station, in Newcastle, on February 27.
She said: “That same day officers saw the Punto and received information that there was no registered keeper or insurance, and it was linked to offences.
“When it reached Audley Road, in Bignall End, the defendant sped up to 50mph in a 30mph zone. A short pursuit ensued. The driver of one vehicle was forced to stop when the Punto cut him up.
“The Punto stopped at a dead end in Albert Street and officers pursued the defendant on foot. He was detained and a drug swipe was positive.”
Latham refused to give a sample at a police station to establish whether he had been driving under the influence of drugs.
He went on to admit driving away from petrol stations without paying for fuel on three occasions between November and February. He also stole meat valued at £98 from Morrisons in Newcastle.
Latham, of Ravens Close, Bignall End, pleaded guilty to two thefts, three charges of making off without payment, failing to stop, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, and driving without insurance.
A pre-sentence report revealed Latham had started taking cannabis at the age of 10, and later progressed to cocaine and heroin use. His offending was all drug-related.
The court heard he is now on a methadone prescription and has been heroin free ‘for a number of months’.
Magistrates handed Latham a 12-month community order. He was also made the subject of a curfew to stay at home between 9pm and 7am for eight weeks.
Magistrate Eric Ratcliffe said: “It is a tragedy that you were taking drugs since the age of 10. This has been a bit of a wake-up call for you and you have taken some positive steps. It shows things are changing in your life.”
Latham was banned from driving for 20 months. He must pay £275 in court costs, plus £211 compensation.
OPENING: An acclaimed exhibition of 19th Century Chinese photographs has opened at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.
China: Through the Lens of John Thomson (1868-1872) captures details from the long lost world of imperial China.
Thomson was a pioneer of photojournalism and travelled extensively around the Far East with a camera ‘the size of a small fridge’. The exhibition has already visited 24 cities, including Washington DC and Stockholm, and is the first major exhibition to be held at the Hanley museum since it reopened in September.
Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, Stoke-on-trent City Council cabinet member for culture, leisure and public health, said: “This exhibition is truly stunning. The fact that John Thomson produced such beautiful pictures, despite the technology available and the many challenges he faced, is really remarkable.” The exhibition will run until February 14. Tickets are £5, with concessions costing £3. Under-16s can attend for free.