Thu, 14 Jun 2012
A CRIMINAL smashed his way into a Coventry police station swiping warrant cards, radios and uniform clothing during a drunken raid.
Sean White, 22, claimed he could not remember breaking into the small station, in Roseberry Avenue, Bell Green, because he was under the influence of drink and drugs.
But he still managed to steal a variety of police equipment including CS spray, batons and police utility belts.
He also damaged police cars and wrecked a scooter owned by Pc Rob Spence – costing the officer around £1,500.
When police checked CCTV they recognised White, who has a lengthy criminal record after committing his first offence when he was just 13.
And when Pc Spence’s scooter was checked for fingerprints they found more evidence tying him to the crime.
He pleaded guilty to burglary and two counts of criminal damage and yesterday at Coventry Crown Court he was jailed for 20 months.
Prosecutor Lynette McClement said: “Between midnight and 5am on January 15 this offender and an unknown number of others forced entry into a police station.
“They scaled a 6ft fence and entered a compound before smashing a window to a temporary building and getting inside.
“Once inside they conducted a messy search, opening 20 lockers and taking a number of police related items.
“Outside he appeared to target a personal motor scooter owned by Pc Spence. He knocked it to the ground and stamped on it.”
In a victim impact statement PC Spence said the fact that his vehicle was locked in a West Midlands Police compound when it was targeted “fuelled his anger”.
Prosecuting
Lynette McClement, No5 Chambers
