UK COMPUTER THEFT this is scunthorpe - news, entertainment, jobs, homes and cars: "BURGLAR'S 'WASTED LIFE' LEADS TO JAIL


12:30 - 27 April 2004

A 41-year-old Scunthorpe man who has led 'a wasted life' because of his drug use, broke down in the dock after being jailed at Grimsby Crown Court.

Ian Crellin, of Somerby Road, appeared before Recorder Charles Ekins to be sentenced for an admitted offence of burglary. John Dunning, defending, said his client had led 'a wasted life'. 'It is a life that has been devastated by drug use,' he said.

Sentencing him to 18 months jail, the Recorder told Crellin his criminal record was 'truly appalling'. And, he said, it was likely the victim of the crime would not feel safe in her own home for some time to come.

Charlotte Baines, prosecuting, said the burglary took place in the early hours of July 2, at an address on Lloyds Avenue, Scunthorpe.

A Mr Dale got up for work at about 4.15am. He looked out of the window and saw a man pushing something down the street.

'The male looked up towards him and Mr Dale gestured towards the male, as if to say 'What are you doing?',' Miss Baines said.

The man then pulled his hooded top down over his face and, his suspicions aroused, Mr Dale went and telephoned the police.

Officers arrived shortly afterwards and found Crellin with a computer trolley. 'His hand was bleeding and the computer trolley was covered in blood,' she said.

A computer was then found in a nearby garden. 'It was also covered in blood,' she continued.

A few minutes later police received a telephone call from a woman reporting a burglary. 'A garden ornament had been thrown through a window to sma"