Burglar described as 'rubbish' at the crime - by his own barrister
‘Rubbish’ burglar Ruban Neptune, 42, walked into an Oxford flat and stole a man bag – while one of the occupants was still inside.
Just days later, the thief broke into a flat in Headington and walked off with a TV and other valuables.
Jailing him for two years and eight months, Judge Maria Lamb said: “[Your barrister] has described you as a rubbish burglar. I am not sure I agree with that description.
“The fact of the matter is that you have since 2011 committed a variety of offences of dwelling house burglary and now you are back before this court for two more.
“I don’t doubt these are linked to your drug addiction and it may well be right to say you have lots of issues that need to be resolved.
“But you are not going to do that at the expense of the community. It is no consolation to those whose homes have been entered and from whose homes you have stolen that you have these difficulties.”
READ MORE: 'Rubbish' burglar jailed for fourth housebreaking conviction in 10 years
Bank transfers formed part of 'campaign' of harassment
‘Relentless’ ex Alexander Colson sent his former partner tiny sums of money via online bank transfer with references including the words ‘I love you’.
A day after he sent the money, his former partner opened her front door to find a bouquet of flowers on her doorstep.
Despite being arrested by the police then later released under investigation, he continued to breach the restraining order.
Jailing him for two-and-a-half years, Recorder John Bate-Williams described Colson’s behaviour as a ‘despicable and relentless campaign’ against his ex-partner.
He noted that the pre-sentence report compiled by the probation service found that Colson showed little remorse.
Summarising the report, the judge said: “You’ve gone through the motions but you don’t seem to have any interest in really tackling your harassment.”
READ MORE: Banbury man sent his ex cash with words 'I love you'
'You missed your vocation - F1 driver'
Banned driver Kyran Mcfarlane led police on dangerous chases twice on the same day.
The 32-year-old was found sleeping behind the wheel of a BMW 1 series in Abingdon football club’s car park – together with a crossbow on the passenger seat.
He made a few ‘feeble’ attempts at blowing into a breathalyser.
Rather than wait at the scene he ran back to the BMW and despite the efforts of several police officers to wrench his keys from him he was able to get away.
Another police officer spotted him parked up in Wolvercote later that day. Again, Mcfarlane was able to drive off.
In the ensuing chase he hit speeds of 70mph down 30mph limit roads in Headington, skipped red lights and drifted onto the wrong side of the road in an effort to get away from the police. The pursuit was so dangerous senior police officers called a halt to it.
Jailing him for more than three years, Judge Michael Gledhill QC said: “Your driving was rather like that of a Formula 1 driver. But you were not at Silverstone or anywhere else. You were in a residential area and your driving was extremely dangerous.”
READ MORE: BMW driver who hit almost 100mph on ring road told by judge he 'missed vocation' as F1 racer
Robber's record damned as 'dismal' - by the judge
Thief Antonio Marraffa robbed a woman of her electric bicycle after lying in wait for her outside Marks and Spencer.
The 65-year-old victim suffered a nasty graze in the robbery. The injury was fixed with steri-strips at the hospital.
He was on bail at the time for a series of thefts and attempted thefts of bikes and an e-scooter.
Jailing him for 35 months, Judge Maria Lamb described Marraffa’s record of previous convictions as ‘dismal’ and urged him to take part in courses while inside that would ensure he remained drug-free on his release.
READ MORE: 'Dismal' thief, 26, robbed 65-year-old of £2k e-bike
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