Burglar with 80 convictions jailed

A BURGLAR with an “absolutely appalling record” of 80 convictions of theft and dishonesty has been jailed after stealing a coat.

Dean Walker (37) of Silverwood Walk, Sunnyside, was made subject to a suspended prison sentence for theft, attempted theft and breaching an ASBO last May.

The four-month term was activated after he pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and heroin possession at Sheffield Crown Court today (Monday).

The court heard Walker was arrested when police were called to his mum's house, where he was staying and which a neighbour believed he was trying to break into.

The neighbour noticed that Walker was wearing a coat taken from her porch, while a bicycle belonging to her was also in Walker's mum's back garden.

Officers found almost a quarter of a gram of heroin in Walker's pocket, though he claimed at the time it was a legal high.

In court he admitted taking the coat, taking the bicycle and possessing heroin.

Mr Recorder Anthony Kelbrick heard that Walker had a long-standing drug addiction, funded through petty crime.

He also heard that Walker is banned from hospitals across England and Wales for all but emergency visits, after stealing from there.

Walker recently broke his back when he fell from a second-floor balcony while under the influence of an illegal substance, the court heard.

Mr Recorder Kelbrick activated the four-month suspended sentence imposed last May, sending Walker straight to prison.

He passed further sentences of 12 months for burglary, three months concurrent for theft and three more for heroin possession, all suspended for two years.

Sentencing Walker, he said: “You have an absolutely appalling record of offences for dishonesty.

“Your offending is mainly theft for the purpose of maintaining your drug habit.

“Given your involvement in the criminal justice system, you must have been well aware what the consequences of breaching a suspended sentence would be.

“I don't see any reason why that suspended sentence should not be activated in full and it will be.”

He added: “Where you go from here is a matter for you.”