Ludlow 'one-man crimewave' jailed for string of offences

Matthew Borkowski broke into Ludlow Station Travel at the town’s railway station in August last year by kicking down a door, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Miss Siobhan Collins, prosecuting, said the 34-year stole two cash boxes containing £1,962.90 in takings.

Borkowski, of Sandpits Avenue, Ludlow, fled the scene but was identified after police found his blood on a door frame.

The court was told he denied the burglary but failed to attend his trial and was convicted in his absence.

Between February and May this year Borkowski also shoplifted from Lloyds Pharmacy and One Stop, both in Ludlow, and Boots in Leominster, the court heard. He stole make-up, cream and household items.

Miss Collins said police were then called to Potter Close in Ludlow on May 25 as Borkowski was in the street shouting loudly and throwing wheelie bins, aiming one at the window of a house.

She said: “The defendant went on to shout, to punch a van, he was seen to have someone in a headlock.”

She said his behaviour caused a police officer to draw their taser and Borkowski went on to threaten them.

The court heard he was drunk.

Borkowski admitted three counts of theft, using threatening words or behaviour, criminal damage and handling stolen goods.

He had also breached a community order.

Mr Dan Smith, representing him, said the father-of-three had been in custody for the past three months but had managed to complete qualifications in plastering, painting and decorating.

Judge Jonathan Gosling told Borkowski: “What you’ve become in the period I’m concerned with is a one-man crimewave.

“The courts have given you repeated chances.

“Having been locked up you’ve made really good progress. I hope you will build on that.”

He said the burglary of the travel agents was a “very serious” crime, adding: “You must have known where that cash was.”

He jailed Borkowski for two years for the burglary offence and an additional three months for the other crimes.