Homeless man jailed after committing offence in the hope of being arrested and having a roof over his head

Allan Clarke’s first deliberate act saw him imprisoned for 20 weeks, a sentence he is still serving, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

The 44-year-old, of no fixed abode, has now seen that jail term – which was due to end in 13 days – extended after appearing in court for a similar offence.

The court heard he was spotted by a taxi driver using what was likely a screwdriver to get into the McColl’s outlet at the Bridges shopping centre in Park Lane, Sunderland, on Sunday, September 8.

Clarke carried on regardless and even picked up a brick or rock to continue his bid before police arrived to arrest him, prosecutors said.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of trespass with intent to steal and was due to stand trial but changed his plea to guilty when he appeared at court via video link from prison.

Prosecutor Glenda Beck said: “He is carrying a bag-for-life and makes use of something like a screwdriver to try to break in.

“A taxi driver sees him and honks his horn but the defendant returns and uses a brick or a rock to hit the door a couple of times.

“The police are called and the defendant is detained. He matches the description given by the taxi driver.”

John Griffiths, defending, said: “Mr Clarke’s explanation is that he was homeless and it was cold. He did it to get arrested because he wanted to go to prison.

“It’s not the first time that he’s done this. Soon after this, he did a similar thing, but got 20 weeks in jail for the attempted burglary of a non-dwelling.

“I would suggest it’s low culpability. He’s got himself sorted and assures me he won’t be getting into any other bother.”

District Judge Kathryn Meek jailed Clarke for 10 weeks to run concurrently with his existing sentence and he must pay a £122 victim surcharge on his expected release from prison in May.