Bungling raider’s litany of excuses
THIEF TRIED TO EXPLAIN AWAY HIS REASONS FOR BREAK-INS
A BUNGLING burglar claimed he broke into a fire station to see if he could walk his dog in the area - despite having no pet with him.
Stephen Jackson was spotted inside Gosforth Fire Station early in the morning and when challenged told a story about his dog even though he was clearly without one.
Jackson’s penchant for unbelievable excuses was revealed again when he claimed he broke into a supported accommodation complex to help someone he said he had seen slumped in a chair - in a room which turned out to be unoccupied.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the offences happened on May 13.
Jackson went to accommodation at Jubilee Mews, Coxlodge, Gosforth, operated by a mental health charity for people after they leave hospital.
A resident told a nurse they had seen someone climb through a window.
Nick Lane, prosecuting, said: “When challenged he said he had climbed in as he saw a figure slumped inside a bedroom in a chair and he had been trying to rouse that person - but that room was unoccupied at the time.”
When he went to the nearby fire station, Jackson was spotted in the yard then tried to lift himself up to a window of a changing room.
Mr Lane added: “When challenged he asked staff to meet him at the door.
“He said he was trying to find out if he was allowed to exercise his dog in the area. He didn’t have a dog with him and he was told to leave.”
Jackson later returned and when told police had been called became verbally abusive and aggressive, threatening to bite off the nose of one firefighter.
Jackson, 53, of Craster Square, Kenton, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to burglary of the supported accommodation, attempted burglary of the fire station, a public order offence and interfering with a minibus at the fire station, causing £100 of damage. He was jailed for three and a half years.
Andrew Walker, defending, said: “He knows he is too old for this type of offending and he needs to deal with his addiction.”