A burglar who ruined Christmas for a series of small businesses was allowed to choose to stay out of prison after vowing to go straight.
Paul Kenny raided and ransacked shops, cafes and bakeries in Newcastle in a spate of offences before, after and on Christmas Day, causing loss and damage of around £6,000.
Kenny, who has 112 previous convictions, including 35 for commercial burglaries, was snared after police recognised his tattoo. But despite admitting six burglaries and asking for a further seven to be taken into consideration, he has been given a suspended prison sentence after promising that he wants to turn his life around.
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Recorder James Wood KC, at Newcastle Crown Court, said the sentence would be 20 months then asked Kenny: "I want to know from you whether that should be immediate or suspended and whether you are committed to keeping out of trouble for the next two years. Is it to be immediate or can you do it?"
Kenny replied: "I'm totally embarrassed by the things I've done and will definitely commit to changing my life. I'm at the age now, my ex partner's mother is bringing my kids up while I'm running around smoking crack and doing stupid stuff. I totally want to change my life around and can do it."
The judge replied: "You speak well and I'm therefore going to give you this chance and suspend the sentence. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity I'm giving you.
"I hope you don't let me down. If you do you will spend even longer in prison than would otherwise have been the case." Kenny replied: "I won't let you down."
The first burglary happened on December 22 last year, when he broke into a cafe, smashing a window. Stock was left all over the floor and all the food was ruined as he left a chiller open. There was £500 of damage and £1,800 of cash and stock was stolen.
The owner said: "The shop was already struggling because of covid, electricity costs and the cost of living and getting broken into the on the Thursday before Christmas was the final straw."
The Garage cafe was broken into on December 24 and meat and dairy products worth £100 were stolen and £100 of damage was caused.
On December 25, Kenny broke into Peace and Loaf and stole a jar containing spare change. The owner said it ruined Christmas.
The fourth burglary happened also happened on Christmas Day at Batch bakery, stealing a games console, tool box, food and keys. The owner said they were left feeling anxious and was out of pocket.
On December 29 Kenny targeted The Cook House restaurant, in the Ouseburn, smashing a glass panel and stealing an ipad, 15 bottles of wine and cash from the till. The owner said: "This happened at a very busy and stressful time of the year.
On the same day, he also broke into Posh Pups pet groomers, throwing items across the room and stealing things including dog clippers.
Kenny, 47, of Todd's Nook, Westgate Road, Newcastle, who has 112 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to six counts of burglary also asked for seven further burglaries to be taken into consideration, including at Ouseburn Farm, One Kitchen & Social, Brew Bakehouse, Pink Lane Bakery and The Boiler House. The total value of the items stolen and the damage caused was around £6,000.
The court heard he was detected because of CCTV showing a tattoo on his arm and officers identified him. He was sentenced to 20 months suspended for two years with a nine month drug rehabilitation requirement, 100 hours unpaid work, a thinking skills programme and he must pay £1,500 compensation, to be shared between the victims.
Nick Cartmell, defending, said: "He was a drug addict going out to feed that habit. They were opportunistic. He is selfish and failing to think about the long term.
"He has been cuckooed and bullied. He is a bit of a wimp and cries a lot."
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