"More Than 200 Previous Convictions..."

I mean, how on earth could this be even halfway possible? At which point does someone in the justice system say 'Leniency isn't working'?

A serial criminal with more than 200 previous convictions who broke into a Norwich business and stole six e-scooters has walked free from court.

Wha..? How? 

Hallam's probation officer told magistrates that Hallam had recently lost his mother from cancer and that one of the last things he promised her was that he would "stay out of trouble".

Liar as well as thief then? 

Hallam was sentenced to a 24-month community order that requires him to comply with a drug rehabilitation programme and wear a monitoring tag for four months. In addition, he was ordered to pay a total of £214 in charges to the court. Magistrates decided that a compensation fee "was not necessary" despite the stolen goods never being recovered.

For once, the EDP commenters seem to agree, and so far haven't descended into the usual slanging match. This one is particularly good:

I LOL'd! 

H/T: Dave Ward via email