Newcastle addict Nathan Downes jailed for special school burglary
A DRUG addict who stole electronic equipment valued at hundreds of pounds from a special school has been jailed.
Nathan Downes, of Friars Walk, Newcastle, admitted burgling The Coppice School and taking a portable DVD player, a laptop computer and a Nintendo Wii games console.
-
TARGETED: The Coppice School.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that the 29-year-old had also acted as a lookout for a burglary at another Newcastle-based special school, Blackfriars.
During the incident at The Coppice School, Downes – who has nine previous convictions – caused damage to a door as he forced it open.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Yesterday, he was sent to prison for eight months.
Jason Holt, defending, said that in retrospect, Downes was "disgusted by his actions".
He said: "He knew it was a school but didn't know it was a special school. He makes it clear he has targeted schools, but didn't realise they were both special schools.
"It's fair to say he's disgusted by his actions and acknowledges the upset he would have caused and from an early stage, he has acknowledged his disgust and has genuine remorse for his actions."
Mr Holt said Downes had recovered some of the items, which he handed over to the police.
Andrew Wilkins, prosecuting, told the court that Downes had dropped and broken the DVD player during the burglary and had sold the laptop.
Downes broke into The Coppice School, in Abbots Way, Newcastle, between July 17 and 18.
A subsequent forensic examination of the school led to him being arrested on August 1.
Downes admitted to police that he had returned to Coppice on July 27 in a further attempt to burgle the school but couldn't get in.
Downes also revealed he acted as a look-out during a burglary at Blackfriars, in Priory Road, the following day but did not steal anything.
The court heard that Downes had been on a programme designed to rehabilitate prolific offenders, along with a scheme for drug addicts.
Mr Holt added: "This is a man who comes before the court for a despicable act but he's done everything in his power to sort out that problems that he has and make good the offences he has committed.
"His problem has always been drugs.
"He is about to turn 30 and says that he wants to put this behind him.
"He's been full and frank with the police and asks to wipe his slate clean."
Despite pleas for Downes' punishment to be community-based, Judge Granville Styler opted for an immediate prison sentence.
Judge Styler said: "The aggravating feature is you were targeting special schools.
"It is a mean offence and the public are sick and tired of drug addicts who target schools like this."
Comments
by nickyoscar
Thursday, October 18 2012, 10:05AM
“He didn't know they were special schools. So is he suggesting that it would have been ok for him to have burgled a mainstream school? Ridiculous!!!
Jobeone - 'Is his worth or lack of it comparible to that of a nicotine addict?'
I may be mistaken but I have never read a story with the headline 'NICOTINE ADDICT COMMITS CRIME TO FUND ADDICTION TO CIGARETTES'
Smokers are in no way comparible to drug addicts. Yes, nicotine is addictive, but so is caffeine. Maybe I could get away with a crime if my legal representation puts it to the judge that there doesn't go a day where I don't have a coffee and a cigarette.
As I'm sure you have worked out, I am a smoker, and I feel offended that you are comparing myself and other LAW ABIDING smokers with this piece of scum.”
by spudder56
Thursday, October 18 2012, 9:30AM
“by Downzy4lifeWednesday, October 17 2012, 6:09PM
"He doesn't even take drugs no more! He went in years ago for drugs and now there bringing it up again. I don't understand why, I'm Mr Downes sister and I am so angry and annoyed because of what he has done. I'm even scared of been bullied because of this."
If he doesnt take drugs no more Why is he still doing burglaries then and why are the courts and media saying he is a drug addict are you saying that they are all wrong and that he is one of Stokes finest citizens I think you need a reality check”
by Downzy4life
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 6:09PM
“He doesn't even take drugs no more! He went in years ago for drugs and now there bringing it up again. I don't understand why, I'm Mr Downes sister and I am so angry and annoyed because of what he has done. I'm even scared of been bullied because of this.”
by Jobeeone
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 4:33PM
“Would he be of worth if he stopped taking the drugs that are slowly killing him? Is his worth or lack of it comparible to that of a nicotine addict? Isn't it so very easy to judge! Just like the people who judge those with learning disability and/or mental health problems. Maybe if we all stopped judging we could all help out a bit more.”
by Anon_mow_cop
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 3:10PM
“The only time this guy will ever stop taking drugs is when he dies, and we can but hope that is not too long in the future, and save the tax-payers money.”
by GilbertL
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 1:22PM
“I understand your point BucknallMel and agree that there would be concern regarding the safety of the children on site. My comment is merely a suggestion, and I never thought for one moment that Mr Downes' rehabilitation programme would include compulsory work at the institutions he has targeted. However I would liken my suggestion to that of constription to compulsory national service which would also have the desired effect of ensuring Mr Downes turned his life around. Unfortunately, I know that such ideas will never come to fruition because it's easier to send somebody to jail, keep them on welfare handouts and pretend like they never exist - well that's the impression I get from the politicians running this country.”
by BucknallMel
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 12:42PM
“I disagree, GilbertL; if you had a child at one of these schools you might also feel extremely concerned about the idea of this worthless lowlife being on the premises when the children were at school. I think he should just be jailed for eight years, not eight months, where he should be kept in solitary with NO access to drugs, or substitutes - then he might actually get clean of them.”
by tommyt100
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 12:40PM
“People like this make me feel sick. The only option i can suggest is putting them all on a island far away from descent people just trying to get on with their lives and let them scrap it out.”
by GilbertL
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 9:36AM
“I suggest as part of his rehabilitation that Mr Downes goes to work for both of the special schools he burgled, for free, for a year each. And hopefully then he might feel some genuine remorse and realise there's more to life than drugs.”
by spudder56
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 9:27AM
“Mr Holt added: "This is a man who comes before the court for a despicable act but he's done everything in his power to sort out that problems that he has and make good the offences he has committed.
"His problem has always been drugs.
DONE EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER APART FROM STOP TAKING DRUGS Just a joke”