January 28, 2019 4.19 pm This story is over 71 months old

Council kitchen burglar with ‘dreadful’ record given chance

The 35-year-old has 42 previous convictions for 80 offences and left his blood at the scene of a break-in
Lincoln Crown Court. Photo: The Lincolnite

A prolific Lincoln burglar has been given a second chance by a judge after turning his life around.

David Rhodes, of Alness Close in Lincoln, was caught after he broke into the Quad restaurant in Lincolnshire County Council’s County Hall building.

Lincoln Crown Court heard how Rhodes smashed his way into the building, forced open two tills and found nothing. He then stole a laptop before leaving.

Amy Earnshaw, prosecuting, said: “Blood was found at the entry and exit points that was matched to the defendant.”

The incident happened just two days before Rhodes smashed a window at Lincoln Central Library and caused £320 in damage.

Rhodes, at 35-years-old, already has 42 previous convictions for 80 offences but has been given a second chance.

He admitted burglary, causing criminal damage, handling property stolen from a parked car and going equipped for a burglary after police found Rhodes shining a torch through shutters on Lincoln High Street.

The court was told that Rhodes has stable accommodation and has been receiving support from the charity P3.

His barrister, Richard Davies, said: “I appreciate his record is dreadful but there is just justification for the sentence to be suspended.”

Rhodes was given a 19 months jail sentence suspended for two years with a six month drug rehabilitation order and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days.

Judge Simon Hirst, passing sentence, told him: “It seems that if ever you are going to change then now is the time.”