Man stole ice cream and cash from his mother

AN offender looking to make a fresh start after recently being released from prison has found himself back behind bars after stealing ice cream and cash from his mother.

Stuart Dawe, 25, of no fixed abode, let his hunger get the better of him when he broke into his mother's garage at her home in Whitchurch.

In doing so Dawe broke the conditions of a suspended sentence which he received just days before.

At Bristol Magistrates' Court yesterday Dawe pleaded guilty to theft and burglary and was taken back to the cells to serve another 24 weeks.

The court heard Dawe had been picked up from prison in Plymouth by his mother after his release.

He was driven back to her home with a plan to make a fresh start after spending time in prison for criminal damage and harassment of his former partner.

But days later, on August 8, he appeared in court again in Bristol after breaching a harassment order by contacting his ex-partner, and was given a 12-week suspended sentence.

Less than 24 hours later Dawe was in trouble again having breached this sentence as well by stealing £25 from his mother's kitchen.

Two days later, on August 11, he forced his way into her garage and took an unknown quantity of ice cream, and the police were called.

Mitigating, Sarah Iles said: "The only way I can mitigate on his behalf is to explain why it is that his life is spiralling out of control. His mother picked him up to give him a fresh start and after spending some time at a friend's caravan he went back to his mother's house because he had nowhere else to go."

She explained that Dawe's mother had found him sitting in the garden after he had broken into her garage.

She said: "He had found a butter knife and forced the door open and found the ice cream. He ate it because he was hungry. He stayed sat in the garden until the police arrived."

She added: "From what you can see it would seem that he has taken advantage of his mother's good nature.

"After more time in prison it is hoped that he will return to Bristol and with a proper fresh start."

When passing the sentence, presiding Magistrate Ms Mount Stevens told Dawe: "This is very sad and I'm sure you have disappointed your mother."

Dawe was given two 12-week sentences for the theft and the burglary, to be served concurrently.

The 12-week suspended sentence for breaking his harassment order was also activated, leaving him facing 24 weeks in prison.

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