Thief caught red-handed avoids prison sentence
Man spotted breaking into parked cars
A THIEF with a prison sentence hanging over him was caught breaking into parked cars.
Simon Martyn Scott was only caught because a witness, who had stayed up late to observe the recent ‘blood moon’ lunar eclipse, spotted him.
Helen Waite, prosecuting, told Newbury magistrates on Thursday, November 12: “She was watching the moon at 3.40am from her bedroom window when she noticed this defendant clearly trying the door handles of various vehicles.
“She watched for a good five to 10 minutes before he walked off towards Villiers Way.”
Thirty-four-year-old Mr Scott, of Newtown Road, Newbury, was later stopped by police and couldn’t account for items of property found on him, the court heard.
One of his victims, who lived in Meyrick Drive, later identified some of the stolen items as his, magistrates were told.
Mr Scott admitted interfering with a motor vehicle in Goodwin Walk, Newbury, and stealing receipts, sunglasses, Bluetooth speakers and other goods belonging to Joshua Armstrong in Meyrick Drive, Newbury, both on September 28.
Mr Scott further admitted breaching a suspended prison sentence order imposed for previous offending.
Stephen Collins, defending, outlined progress his client had made in sorting out his life and said: “He realises the suspended sentence order puts him in a good deal of peril.
“But if you activate it there’s a real risk he could lose his accommodation which will send him back into chaos.”
He added that his client had complied with and completed a curfew order imposed at the time of the suspended sentence.
After conferring with colleagues, presiding magistrate Brenda Harding said a six-week prison sentence would be imposed, but that this, too, would be suspended for 12 months.
In addition, a new, three-month curfew was imposed between 7pm and 7am.
He was ordered to pay a £150 criminal courts charge but no costs.
Mrs Harding told Mr Scott: “We’re convinced you are mending your ways and making an effort.”
