A man diagnosed with terminal cancer began burgling sheds and houses after going on a ‘downward spiral’. Paul Daniels, 43, was told by doctors that he had a life expectancy of between five and ten years following his diagnosis.
He ‘spiralled’ into drug use and began stealing from houses in Cheadle to fund his addiction, Minshull Street Crown Court. From one shed he took £700 worth of power tools.
And from a house he stole a PlayStation and the homeowner’s wallet. He went on to splurge over £200 at local shops using the man’s bank cards.
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Daniels, of Wythenshawe, pleaded guilty to offences of burglary and eight counts of fraud. Citing exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge felt able to suspend the jail term due to Daniel’s condition.
Prosecuting, Michael Goldwater said that on June 11 last year Daniels was with another man as they cycled to a house in Stockport before climbing over a fence and ‘ripping the door off’ the garden shed.
“The defendant stole power tools which were valued at £700, and the damage caused to the shed cost £575,” he said.
Days later on June 17, he was spotted on CCTV breaking into several sheds including a horse stable. He was seen spending time looking in the sheds but did not steal anything, Mr Goldwater said.
Months later, at a house on Park Road, Cheadle, the homeowner came down from working at 5pm to find someone had been in his house and taken his white PlayStation, the controllers and some games. His wallet, with a number of bank cards, were also stolen.
“The defendant went out and used three of the cards for a mixture of purchases, including from Bargain Booze and the Co-op. He tried to use one of the cards in Tesco, but the card had been reported stolen by then,” Mr Goldwater added.
In a victim impact statement, the man said he constantly double checks the doors are locked, that he cried when he found out what happened and said he has been left with anxiety. “My partner now wants to keep a weapon next to the bed. This has given me the feeling of losing control,” he said.
Daniels was said to have 33 previous convictions for 91 offences, and was said to be a ‘third strike burglar’ as he had two previous convictions for burglary. This means he would have been liable to a minimum jail sentence of three years.
Mitigating, Paul Hodgkinson said that his clients life expectancy ranges from five to ten years following a diagnosis of terminal cancer. “He spiralled into drug use in an attempt to deal with it,” he said.
“He spiralled out of control, and foolishly stole to fund his drug habit.”
Sentencing, Recorder Daniel Prowse said that it has been four years since Daniels received his diagnosis. “I bear very much in mind in sentencing you, that very sadly you might not live a year from now,” he said.
“In my judgement, your reduced life expectancy and the difficulty you have in custody with access to treatment, I find it would be unjust to approach the minimum tariff.”
Daniels, of Peel Hall Road, was handed 23 months imprisonment which was suspended for 24 months. He must also complete a nine month drug treatment programme, a Thinking Skills programme and 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.
“The mitigation in this case is exceptional. However, if you breach this order, you will go to prison and you will likely die in prison.”
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