Addict stole phone from child in park
A DRUG addict who robbed a 12-year-old girl then burgled the home of the family who had taken him off the streets, has been jailed for 50 months.
Jonathan Grocott, aged 23, of Louise Street, Burslem, was initially arrested after the 12-year-old's parents tracked him down and called police.
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LOCKED UP: Grocott.
But after admitting the crime and being bailed, he went on to raid the home of his girlfriend's mother.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court was told the defendant had been desperate as he owed drug dealers money.
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And at the hearing, Grocott admitted charges of robbery and burglary.
Prosecutor Heather Chamberlin said: "On July 25, a 12-year-old girl was walking through Tunstall Park with a friend. She saw a woman and two men sitting on a park bench.
"The defendant approached her, asked her the time, then took hold of one arm and snatched a telephone out of her other hand, then ran away.
"She was very distressed. She called her parents and they searched the estate until they found the three people.
"Her father confronted this defendant and searched him. When he didn't find the telephone he said he was calling the police and the defendant ran away."
Police later found the telephone hidden in the bra of one of Grocott's accomplices.
He was arrested by police, but made no comment.
An ID parade was arranged for the next morning, by which time Grocott had shaved off his beard.
However, he was still picked out by the young girl's father.
Grocott admitted the crime and asked for another robbery and three thefts to be taken into consideration.
It was while on bail for this offence that he raided his girlfriend's mother's home – where he was living with them at the time – on September 21.
Ms Chamberlin said: "His girlfriend returned to the house. She saw a man in the alleyway, carrying her pink bag and suitcase.
"She didn't see his face, but he was wearing identical clothing to her boyfriend. She shouted his name and he ran away. She then called him on his phone and he appeared to be breathless."
A window had been smashed and a laptop, Xbox, 20 games and a box containing jewellery was stolen.
Mitigating in the robbery of the 12-year-old, Robert Smith said: "It was a mean offence. Shameless. He had no money, he was desperate."
Addressing the burglary, Mr Smith said: "He breached the trust of his girlfriend and her mother who had put him up in hard times.
"He can only explain that his drug addiction made him desperate. Matters came to a head. He owed drug dealers a significant sum of money."
Sentencing Grocott to 20 months for robbery, and 30 months for burglary, Judge Paul Glenn told him: "The robbery would have been very frightening for the 12-year-old.
"The burglary was a particularly mean offence because the victim was someone you were sharing accommodation with."
Comments
by spudder56
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 9:35AM
“This man will never change his ways even though I truly hope he does”
by warren-lloyd
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 8:38AM
“Jr1953. How would removing a persons right to live in council housing aid the Justice systems job of stopping re-offending. I think you need to remember, there is no Penal system in the UK. It is one of help and protection.”
by Redtone
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 8:31AM
“Very good jr1953 - google has been busy to create another instant expert. You still don't explain how making those leaving jail homeless is a good idea though.
I hope you read gengar1's post too.”
by gengar1
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 8:17AM
“jr1953
out of interest would you differentiate between criminals? Would you treat someone that was prosecuted for non payment of council tax in the same way as a murderer? If not then how would you write an allocation policy? It would be ridiculously convoluted and as others have said, the cons have to go somewhere, so where would you put them? If they are on the streets they are likely to become more dangerous and if you put them into private housing the housing benefit bill goes up and we pay even more.
if someone gets a flat, the loses it because through commiting crime, when released they would be classed as intentionally homeless, so properties are not easily given to them as you seem to be intimating. Also, if they have served their time continuing to disriminate against them is surely not helpful?
also, is them "picking up a mental illness" the same as our soldiers possibly "picking up a mental illness" by invading countries we shouldnt be in and doing things that we shouldnt be doing?
not saying sentences and prisons arent too light, but not sure your ideas are a way forward.”
by jr1953
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 7:59AM
“Redtone http://tinyurl.com/74wlvbc”
by Redtone
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 7:36AM
“You don't back any of that up with data.
Bringing our troops into it is an incredibly cheap tactic, as Samuel Johnson said : "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel".
What's your claim of a 50% re-offending rate backed up by?”
by jr1953
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 7:17AM
“Redtone. At the moment the cycle is:
Flat- Crime -Prison (Hotel Dovegate, Cost £41,000 per year, where they have TV + DVD + Satellite + legal drugs (heroin substitutes) + gym + meet all their mates to arrange more crimes)) - Hostel – Flat – Crime…. Can you see a pattern forming? This goes on year after year.
When he's out he meet a woman - has children (all paid for by the tax payer) + she is given a house as a single parent + he has now picked up a mental illness so can claim DLA etc.
All I want to do is break the cycle.
Your sympathy would be better targeted on soldiers who have fought for this country who have genuine mental illnesses and are living on the streets.
If you have a better solution let me know?”
by Redtone
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 6:33AM
“jr1953 - if they can't get council housing or some other social provision, they will be forced to find private accommodation. Private is more expensive. As they are ex-cons, it's safe to assume most will be unemployed and qualify for Housing Benefit. You seem to be suggesting the tax payer should pay more to put a roof over their heads.
Do you seriously believe a vast army of desperate and homeless ex-cons will somehow enhance our society? Again... think things through. It takes more than prison to protect those dearest to us, this is not the 18th century.”
by jr1953
Monday, October 15 2012, 8:47PM
“The last post should have been
"At the moment the re-offending rates are nearly 50% and rising. Unless you had not noticed the justice system is tipped in favour of the offender not the victim. As an example a prolific offender is eligible for release on Automatic Conditional release if they have accommodation to go. If they have no accommodation to go to they will have to serve their full sentence."”
by jr1953
Monday, October 15 2012, 8:42PM
“At the moment the re-offending rates are nearly 50% and rising. Unless you had not noticed the justice system is tipped in favour of the offender not the perpetrator. As an example a prolific offender is eligible for release on Automatic Conditional release if they have accommodation to go. If they have no accommodation to go to they will have to serve their full sentence.”