Convicted burglars Lamb and Fenlon sentenced for smashing into petrol station at Barham
Comments |
A burglar who was part of a duo who smashed
their way into a petrol station was given a suspended sentence
because he was making a determined effort to turn his life
around.
But his co-accused had made no such effort and was locked up for
a total of 18 months for burglary and driving while disqualified
after being told he had one of the worst records the judge had
seen.
Gary Lamb, 25, of Wayfield Road, Chatham and Patrick Fenlon, 30,
of Walsingham Crescent, Rainham appeared for sentence at Canterbury
Crown Court having admitted burglary at Arter Brothers at Dover
Road, Barham in December last year.
Fenlon further admitted driving while banned and without
insurance.
CCTV recorded their car number and police stopped the vehicle a few
hours later as Fenlon drove down Rochester High Street.
Both had poor records, Lamb 22 convictions for 45 offences and
Fenlon 64 convictions for 131 offences of which 12 were
burglaries.
Sentencing Lamb to 12 months, suspended for 18 months, Mr
Recorder Andrew Popat said he took into account Lamb's health
problems and that he had been suffering from depression but had
shown remorse and was trying to put his career of crime behind
him.
He accepted much of Lamb's record was due to drink but warned
him it was his very last chance and any further offences would land
him in jail for a long time.
Lamb must undertake a basic skills assessment, attend the Think
First programme and on an electronically tagged curfew between 7pm
and 7am for six months.
"What has impressed me is you have made a determined effort to
change your lifestyle and I do not want to take away from you your
chance of improvement and stopping a career of crime," said the
Recorder.
Fenlon started his criminal career at 16, committing crime after
crime despite being given lenient sentences and opportunities to
change his ways, said Mr Recorder Popat, adding that Fenlon had
made little or no effort to change his lifestyle.
"This is one of the worst records I have come across. You took
the initiative who commit this burglary, borrowed a friend's car
and dragged your co-defendant along with you." He said the burglary
was clearly pre-planned and Fenlon had defied a court order by
driving when disqualified and had not bothered to take a test
before regaining his licence.
He said he hoped while in custody, Fenlon would take the
opportunity to acquire some learning skills and bring his criminal
career to an end.
Fenlon was banned for three years.
Monday, March 15 2010
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.