Theatre burglar avoids jail spell

A BURGLAR who broke into Rotherham Civic Theatre and stole tools worth hundreds of pounds avoided spending Christmas behind bars — despite his “appalling” criminal record.

Michael Lisowski (47, pictured) was spotted breaking into the Civic on the morning of August 1, when he pinched cameras, a USB headset and socket wrenches.

He later told police: “I don’t even know why I did it because I have been good for the last few years”, Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard.

The theatre was closed at the time as it was being refurbished ready for re-opening after the easing of restrictions.

“There were, as far as I can tell, no staff members present at the time,” said Mr Mark Hughes, prosecuting.

“Police were alerted by a member of the public who works next door, who saw a male climbing over a wall at the theatre before gaining entry through a door.

Mr Hughes said police had arrived at the scene and spotted Lisowski fleeing through a fire exit.

“He discarded some items and started to run and was caught after a chase,” he said.

Lisowski, who stole items worth £400, was arrested and gave a “full and frank” admission to officers, the court heard on Tuesday.

“He said he had picked up various items, which he intended to steal,” said Mr Hughes.

“He said he had not been in trouble for some time and that he was remorseful and had let himself down.”

Lisowski, of Potterdyke Avenue, Rawmarsh, admitted an offence of burglary at a previous hearing.

He had committed 15 other burglaries — as recently as December 2017, the court heard.

Mitigating, Mr Randheer Johal said: “Finances were tight and he ended up in constant arguments with his partner, which is what happened on the day in question.

“He said he went into a state where he saw an opportunity and he, unfortunately, acted upon it.

“This was not an offence committed to fund a drug addiction, though he occasionally uses drugs.

“This was an opportunistic offence which was very unsophisticated in nature.”

Mr Johal said police had caught Lisowski ten minutes after he had been spotted entering the theatre.

He said Lisowski had lost his father two months before the offence was committed.

Lisowski, who attended court with his bag packed ready for prison, wiped away tears as he stood in the dock.

District Judge for Sheffield Mr Timothy Spruce gave Lisowski a 12-week jail sentence but it was suspended for a year.

He told Lisowski he had an appalling record, adding that he had taken into account the defendant’s trouble with his partner, a recent bereavement and the gap in his offending.

“You are not the only one struggling in the pandemic; theatres are struggling in the pandemic,” said Judge Spruce.

Lisowski was given a 28-day curfew order and was ordered to complete up to ten days of rehabilitation.