Audio By Carbonatix
A thief who visited his victim to say sorry for stealing his computer has been jailed – after nicking his new laptop.
Ivan Barker, 21, went to the home of Jean Jacque Mathely in Stoke–on–Trent after the first crime as part of a restorative justice scheme.
But the new laptop proved to be too much for him and he nabbed it when Mr Mathely's back was turned.
Barker has now been jailed for 16 weeks after admitting the offence at Stoke Magistrates Court.
He told JPs he had sold the stolen goods for drink and had only swiped the computer after getting stressed.
Prosecutor Sue Hayers said Mr Mathely had heard a knock at the door when he saw Barker outside.
She said: "The defendant said the police had asked him to visit to apologise for the previous offence.
"He initially believed the apology was genuine and let him in.
"They had a conversation, and the injured party went to the toilet. He then heard the defendant shout that he was leaving.
"When Mr Mathley went back into the living room he noticed the drawer on his computer desk was open and his laptop was missing.
"The defendant had also taken two 100 packs of cigarettes."
Mr Mathely had just bought the computer for £200 to replace the first one stolen three months earlier.
Gary Corbett, mitigating, said: "The defendant had been drinking to excess and taking cocaine before he went to the address.
"This was an opportunistic offence, he didn't go there with the intention to steal these items."
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Indonesians raise white flags as anger grows over slow flood aid
1 hour -
Why passport stamps may be a thing of the past
1 hour -
Pope Leo urges ‘courage’ to end Ukraine war in first Christmas address
1 hour -
Commentary on Noah Adamtey v Attorney General: A constitutional challenge to Office of Special Prosecutor
2 hours -
Ghana’s democratic debate is too insular and afraid of change – Constitution Review Chair
2 hours -
24/7 campaigning is a choice, not democracy – Constitution Review Chair
2 hours -
4 years is too short as Ghana lags behind global democratic standards – Constitution Review Chair
2 hours -
GOLDBOD CEO explains ‘Clear Typo’ in Foreign Reserves claim
4 hours -
Trump says US military struck ISIS terrorists in Nigeria
5 hours -
Civil society group calls on BoG to suspend planned normalisation of non-interest banking
7 hours -
King Charles’ Christmas message urges unity in divided world
7 hours -
Jingle bills: Arkansas Powerball player strikes $1.8bn jackpot on Christmas Eve
7 hours -
Brazil ex-President Jair Bolsonaro’s surgery for hernia ‘successful’
7 hours -
Ghana and Afreximbank announce successful resolution of $750 million facility
10 hours -
IGP inaugurates Ghana Police Music Academy
11 hours
