Sunderland burglar returns to jail after city centre bar break-ins
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Despite a lifetime of offending, Ricky Elliott’s trespassing offences were “shambolic” and “lacking in sophistication”, his solicitor admitted.
Elliott, 48, of The Elms Ashbrooke, who was first jailed aged 14, broke into the bars The Botanist and Vesta Tilleys on Saturday, November 30.
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On the same day, he was found wandering in Cassaton House student accommodation in Fawcett Street, prosecutor Paul Anderson said.
Twelve days earlier, Elliott was caught in possession of a razor blade during a police frisk at Newcastle’s Kingston Park retail zone.
He committed all offences after his release from a previous prison term for burglary and while on licence from it.
District Judge Zoe Passfield put him behind bars for 16 weeks for the burglaries and to 12 consecutive weeks for carrying the blade.
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Hide AdShe told him the break-ins were made worse by his criminal record, because he was on licence and due to him being on bail for the weapon offence.
Mr Anderson told the judge: “I anticipate that Mr Elliott will not have his liberty for some considerable time.
“You’re dealing with possession of a bladed article which has a minimum six-month tariff, and there were three matters on Saturday.”
Elliott pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary with intent, one of attempted burglary with intent and possession of a bladed article in public.
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Hide AdTom Morgan, defending, said: “What he has asked me to state is that he’s been in and out of prison since he was 14 years old.
“His 14th birthday in fact was his first prison sentence. A substantial portion of his life has been in and out of prison.
“Whilst they are burglaries, they are far less serious than the burglary that he was on licence for. The fall out for him is great.
“It’s a shame that he had a bladed article and from his point of view, it was fairly innocuous. He was not brandishing it.
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Hide Ad“The burglaries were fairly innocuous and shambolic, I would say they were lacking in sophistication.”
The Probation Service confirmed Elliott’s licence had been revoked and he was being returned to prison for a time to be decided.
Elliott must also pay a £154 victim surcharge.