Is this most stupid house raider?
BURGLAR Jonathan O'Dwyer was not hard to spot at the scene of his crime – he wore a bright yellow fluorescent jacket.
O'Dwyer's high-visibility coat was seen by a woman neighbour.
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Judge Michael Stokes said going burgling in a fluorescent jacket was a bit naive
She went to investigate when she heard loud "booming noises" and noticed glass smashed in a side door at the house in Barbara Square, Hucknall.
O'Dwyer, 20, of Holbeck Road, Hucknall, was standing at a side door but left the scene. A police dog picked up his trail and found his jacket which he had dumped as he escaped. Tests revealed his DNA.
O'Dwyer was arrested and charged with the burglary on November 17. He named an accomplice, but there was not enough evidence against him.
"At the time that named male was still in the property when he ran off," said Andrew Tanser, prosecuting at Nottingham Crown Court.
Judge Michael Stokes, QC, told the defendant's barrister: "Going burgling in a fluorescent yellow jacket does suggest a degree of naivety."
O'Dwyer, who pleaded guilty, had been made redundant and was using drugs.
Julia King, mitigating, said the offence was out of character, he was short of money and got involved through the other man.
"He is now a full-time warehouseman. These proceedings have forced him to consider his lifestyle and the direction he was heading and he has stopped taking drugs.''
Two gold chains, a PlayStation 3 and games were taken and estimated to be worth more than £1,000. Nothing was recovered.
Judge Stokes sentenced O'Dwyer to a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for one year, and imposed 140 hours of unpaid work. He must pay £600 compensation to the householder.
He said: "You were one of two men who burgled someone's home. The other burglar escaped with the stolen property. Unusually you told police who he was, but he has not been prosecuted.
"Your role appears to have been a subsidiary role, and someone who should retire forthwith from this activity. If you are going to burgle in a yellow high-visibility jacket, you are going to draw attention to yourself – one ironic way that suggests you were naive and under the influence of someone else."
rebecca.sherdley@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
3 Comments
by keith, clifton
Monday, March 15 2010, 7:16PM
“Now he is a full time warehouseman, how would he feel if someone broke in to his house and stole his first months money.”
by m, gedling
Monday, March 15 2010, 12:11PM
“suspended sentence Atilla
". He named an accomplice, but there was not enough evidence against him."
"At the time that named male was still in the property when he ran off,"
how much more evidence do you want ? no wonder crime is down if you only prosecute 50% of the perpetrators.”
by Atilla The Bun, Fun in the Bun
Monday, March 15 2010, 9:17AM
“12-month prison sentence?... this is a disgrace!
This is Nottingham for gods sake... what ever happened to a good slap on the wrists?”