Judge gives addict another jail warning
Thursday, 7th March 2002.
A HEROIN addict who preyed on an elderly couple has again narrowly escaped a jail sentence.
Neville Crack, 30, of Clopton, Wickhambrook, breached a drug treatment and testing order imposed by Judge John Devaux at Ipswich Crown Court.
But last Friday, the same judge gave him another chance. When Judge John Devaux sentenced him in September he was warned he faced a 13-month jail sentence if he breached the 12-month order.
Last Friday, John Akast prosecuting said there were three failures to comply with the order.
There were three occasions on which the test showed that either heroin or methadone was present in his body but defence barrister Lindsay Cox urged the judge to give Crack another chance.
Judge Devaux decided to review Crack's progress again on April 4.
Meanwhile he warned Crack that any further lapses would be likely to result in him being jailed.
The judge told him: "Any more lapses and I cannot guarantee the outcome next time." He added: "If there are any further breaches, you will be at risk of the whole thing being swept aside and the court will re-sentence you."
In September, Crack admitted charges of theft, attempted theft and obtaining property by deception.
The judge heard his victims had included Hilda Barnes, 69, who lives with her husband in sheltered housing in Bury St Edmunds.
Sixty-nine-year-old Hilda Barnes, was alone in a flat while her husband was playing bowls.
Crack called at the flat, having entered the inner courtyard from the rear of the complex.
He asked to use the phone and Mrs Barnes, a multiple sclerosis sufferer, let him into her home. While in there he appeared to make a call but it had since been discovered he was trying a number which did not exist. After he left the flat, it was discovered a wallet had gone. Later told the police he had used £20 cash he had stolen to buy heroin.
Crack’s barrister for the earlier court appearance was Stephen Wilson who told the judge that Crack was remorseful about the impact on the elderly victim. “That has kick-started him into wishing to deal with his drug problem,” said Mr Wilson.
The Judge in addition to making the drug treatment and testing order, also ordered Crack to pay £158.32 compensation to Mrs Barnes.
Neville Crack, 30, of Clopton, Wickhambrook, breached a drug treatment and testing order imposed by Judge John Devaux at Ipswich Crown Court.
But last Friday, the same judge gave him another chance. When Judge John Devaux sentenced him in September he was warned he faced a 13-month jail sentence if he breached the 12-month order.
Last Friday, John Akast prosecuting said there were three failures to comply with the order.
There were three occasions on which the test showed that either heroin or methadone was present in his body but defence barrister Lindsay Cox urged the judge to give Crack another chance.
Judge Devaux decided to review Crack's progress again on April 4.
Meanwhile he warned Crack that any further lapses would be likely to result in him being jailed.
The judge told him: "Any more lapses and I cannot guarantee the outcome next time." He added: "If there are any further breaches, you will be at risk of the whole thing being swept aside and the court will re-sentence you."
In September, Crack admitted charges of theft, attempted theft and obtaining property by deception.
The judge heard his victims had included Hilda Barnes, 69, who lives with her husband in sheltered housing in Bury St Edmunds.
Sixty-nine-year-old Hilda Barnes, was alone in a flat while her husband was playing bowls.
Crack called at the flat, having entered the inner courtyard from the rear of the complex.
He asked to use the phone and Mrs Barnes, a multiple sclerosis sufferer, let him into her home. While in there he appeared to make a call but it had since been discovered he was trying a number which did not exist. After he left the flat, it was discovered a wallet had gone. Later told the police he had used £20 cash he had stolen to buy heroin.
Crack’s barrister for the earlier court appearance was Stephen Wilson who told the judge that Crack was remorseful about the impact on the elderly victim. “That has kick-started him into wishing to deal with his drug problem,” said Mr Wilson.
The Judge in addition to making the drug treatment and testing order, also ordered Crack to pay £158.32 compensation to Mrs Barnes.
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