Judge who delayed sending burglar to prison ‘proved right’

A JUDGE said his decision to put off sentencing a drug-addled burglar had been proved right.

Dean Griffiths, 34, formerly of Rollestone Street, Salisbury, was before Swindon Crown Court last November when he admitted climbing through the downstairs window of a house on Lord’s Lane, Chippenham, in September 2018.

He ignored precious jewellery and took an overnight bag, which had been left on the bed and contained around £430 worth of clothes and toiletries.

In a victim statement the homeowner said she had to have several days off work as a result of the burglary, it had left her nervous to leave the house and she had since installed extra security devices.

Interviewed by the police in June, Griffiths said he had no recollection of the incident.

Prosecutor Hannah Squire told the court last year: “I think he used the phrase that at the time he would have been ‘off his nut’.”

David Maunder, defending, said of his client: “He’s disappointed with himself and confused and ashamed, because although he has a bad record and has stolen in the past he doesn’t have a significant record of dwelling house burglaries.”

Griffiths had previously struggled with drug addiction. The death of his father last year from an overdose had prompted a change in direction.

He was now receiving a methadone prescription, had hopes to move into his own accommodation and was paying off debts to old landlords.

Judge Peter Crabtree deferred sentence until February, ordering the man to work with addiction service Turning Point, cooperate with the probation service, put aside £150 to pay compensation to his victim and stay out of trouble.

He told the burglar back in November: “It is plainly in the interests of the public generally that Mr Griffiths doesn’t commit offences. That said, it is early days.

“He deserves a chance given the positives, but if he doesn’t continue he goes to prison.”

It was not until this month that Griffiths was back before the courts. The judge praised his progress.

He said: “This is a serious offence, Mr Griffiths, as you know – I said the last time round when you were here in November.

“But I did defer sentence for good reason. You’ve proved me right to have done that. You’ve clearly made progress with probation.”

Griffiths was given an 18-month community order with requirements to complete a six-month drug rehab programme and up to 20 rehabilitation activity days.