Man burgled army cadet centre in Telford for sweets and food
A man who broke into an army cadets centre in Telford and stole food and sweets has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
David Jinks entered Madeley Army Cadet Centre, in Court Street, through a window, Telford Magistrates Court heard.
Ms Abigail Hall, prosecuting, said once the 30-year-old was inside he searched the rooms and stole £100 worth of food and confectionary.
She said police later found blood staining on the window and a swab was taken for forensic testing.
Ms Hall said: “That was analysed.
“A match came back between that and a sample previously taken from David Jinks.”
Jinks was arrested and interviewed by police. Ms Hall said Jinks stated he had been to Tesco in Madeley and had seen a man he did not know climb into the army cadet centre.
The court heard that Jinks told police he thought he would take a look inside.
Ms Hall said: “He said he decided to climb inside and have a look around to see what was there.
“Once inside he located food and drink which he took home to eat.”
Jinks was jailed for 16 weeks on May 11 this year for offences including burglary, but he was due to be released from prison on Wednesday (5). He appeared at the court hearing in Telford on Tuesday via video link.
Jinks, who was due to move into a property in Brookside, Telford, following his release from Hewell Prison in Redditch, pleaded guilty to the burglary at Madeley Army Cadet Centre in May this year.
Mr John McMillan, representing Jinks, said his history was ‘horrendous’ and that he had struggled with drug issues for many years.
However, Mr McMillan told magistrates that Jinks had made the decision to stop taking drugs.
He said he was offered help but decided to do it on his own.
Speaking directly to magistrates, Jinks told them he had been a user of both heroin and crack cocaine in the past.
He said he now wanted a ‘fresh start’ and felt ‘better than ever’ that he no longer took drugs.
Jinks was given a six-week jail sentence, however magistrates chose to suspend the term for six months.
He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to Madeley Army Cadet Centre, as well as £100 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
Magistrates accepted his offer to pay the bill at a rate of £10 per fortnight.
