Darren Holloway snatched cigarettes and tobacco in an early hours raid on the Co-op supermarket in Downend and was arrested when police saw him with two carrier bags nearby, a court heard.And for this he got….*drum roll*….
Five days later, while on bail, Holloway burgled the Royal Archer pub in Kingswood and was arrested because a carrier bag had his fingerprint on it.
Holloway, 26, of Cheltenham Road, pleaded guilty to two burglaries as well as theft from a motor vehicle.
He asked for 12 similar offences to be considered after going on three "drive rounds" with police and admitting further break-ins.
Yeah, you guessed. Nothing:
Judge Michael Longman gave him a community order, comprising of 18 months' supervision and a six-month drug rehabilitation order.That’ll teach ‘im.
The judge told him: "That's probably the best opportunity you're ever going to have.Oh, and in case you were wondering if the fact that this is his first offence – sorry, string of offences – is the reason for the leniency, then think again:
"One of the most persuasive factors is you haven't had one before. You've got to seize it with both hands; if you don't you're going downstairs and for quite a long time."
David Miller, defending, said: "Mr Holloway has been addicted to Class A drugs for a third of his life.Which clearly worked well.
"This crime spree, from late May to late June, is a reflection of what happened to him and how he responded when he was released from his last and lengthiest custodial sentence."
So, we’ve tried locking him up – no effect – and now we’re trying not locking him up – anyone want to guess? – so, what’s next?
But it looks from recent incidents as if the Castle Doctrine is appearing in English Law.
ReplyDeleteBad news for burglars.
"David Miller, defending, said: "Mr Holloway has been addicted to Class A drugs for a third of his life" ...
ReplyDeleteAnd yet people are still calling for the de-criminalisation of drugs ..
Whats next?
ReplyDeleteCutting off his hands preferably!
@Captain Haddock: I have a friend who smokes 40 a day. He manages to pay for this by his own (legal) efforts. Why should other drugs be any different?
De-criminalise it, tax it, regulate it, and let people stick whatever they like into their own bodies.
@ Jim ..
ReplyDelete"I have a friend who smokes 40 a day. He manages to pay for this by his own (legal) efforts. Why should other drugs be any different?
De-criminalise it, tax it, regulate it, and let people stick whatever they like into their own bodies" ...
As a lifelong Pipe smoker Jim, I have no moral objection to what other people stick into their bodies .. its a matter of personal choice ..
But, like your 40-a-day friend, my "habit" has always been legally sourced from my own pocket .. without the need, or desire to resort to crime to pay for it ..
Because I choose to smoke (a perfectly legal activity) the Law mitigates against me & society treats me like some sort of pariah .. but if I were a regular user of Class A Drugs (an illegal activity) .. the same society would perceive me as being a victim & even permit me to register as "disabled" ..
That's where I object .. and bloody strongly too ..
Left to me, I'd feed the useless, non-contributing, thieving parasites 100% pure drugs of their choice & let nature take its course ..
He should move to Scotland. Our druggies are well looked after. If you're a junkie and you need a fix urgently you can call NHS24. They'll send a doctor out immediately. Every day for 3 years if needs be...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thecourier.co.uk/Community/Health/article/17610/health-secretary-demanding-answers-after-courier-reveals-addict-s-toll-on-out-of-hours-service.html
Another £100K down the drain jimmy.
When you read stories like this I think to myself "why do I bother?". Then I realise-I don't.
ReplyDeleteJaded
In as much as I'll admit to doing sociology, when I interview these types their lives are so miserable it's hard to imagine what we can take away from them. We essentially threaten them with stuff that would affect our mindset and not theirs. Anyone spot the traveler claiming what must have been an armed robbery 'never hurt no one' on Dispatches? Our schools are breeding them faster than ever. Doesn't bode well.
ReplyDelete"But it looks from recent incidents as if the Castle Doctrine is appearing in English Law."
ReplyDeleteA high price to pay, though, if you're a law-abiding person. Immediate arrest, your DNA retained, kiss goodbye to holidays in the US and working with children...
"...if I were a regular user of Class A Drugs (an illegal activity) .. the same society would perceive me as being a victim & even permit me to register as "disabled" "
Spot on! It's a nonsense.
"They'll send a doctor out immediately. Every day for 3 years if needs be..."
*speechless*
"...when I interview these types their lives are so miserable it's hard to imagine what we can take away from them."
Their liberty?