Judge pays thief’s £1 debt from his own pocket

order with supervision yesterday and also ordered him to pay £1 in compensation to cover the cost of stealing two Christmas cards.

But the judge put his hand in his pocket and gave the coin to the clerk at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court as payment for the fine.

He was obliged to make a compensation order because the stolen goods had not been recovered despite the low value of the cards.

He told the court: “The sooner the Government changes (the rules) the better.”
When he noticed a reporter sitting at the court Press bench he said: “My chances of getting a knighthood were pretty slim anyway.”

The Sentencing Guidelines Council states that in theft cases the court must consider making a compensation order in any case where personal injury, loss or damage has resulted from the offence and give reasons if it decides not to make such an order.

Northridge (20) of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, stole two letters from a shared mailbox in his block of flats as he was “skint” and looking for money in Christmas cards.

He was spotted on CCTV on December 19 and arrested. He pleaded guilty to two counts of theft at court on Tuesday.

The court was told he had previous convictions for theft and burglary and following a third theft he was recalled to custody for 28 days for being in breach of his licence.

According to sentencing guidelines, a court has to consider making a compensation order in any case where they are empowered to do so.

The law was recently clarified under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.
It relates to cases where personal injury, loss or damage has occurred from the offence.
If compensation is not ordered, a court has to give its reasons.

When handing down orders, judges and magistrates have to consider the ability an offender has to pay.

Robert Carr, prosecuting, said: “It was a theft from a shared mailbox at his block of flats. He was skint and hoped there might be some money in the Christmas cards.”

Passing sentence, District Judge Devas said: “Particularly at that time of year, this was a very mean offence.

“When letters or cards from loved ones go missing it’s very upsetting.”
It is not the first time the judge has made the headlines for comments made in court. Following criticism about “lenient” sentences handed to people convicted following the 2011 riots, Judge Devas insisted judges were not to blame.

Speaking at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, he said: “Do not blame the judges or the magistrates who do their jobs professionally and abide by the guidelines set down.” He fined one defendant £60 and said: “If there are any criticisms of sentences handed down by the courts, if you want anyone to blame, then go and speak to the government.” — Daily Mail.