Burglar banged-up

Published on 24th May 2007 in News

Violent drug addict Nicholas Broadley was released by a judge, only to burgle a Goole house within a month of being given a 12-month suspended prison sentence for burglary.

Prolific offender Mr Broadley (25) has now been jailed for 21 months and warned in future that his jail terms for repeat burglary will have a starting point of three years.

Father-of-three Mr Broadley broke into a flat in Kingsway, Goole, at 4.30am, confronting its owner and stealing the man's £70 Ericsson mobile telephone in July last year.

For that he was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence on March 2 and allowed to walk free from court with an appalling track record of offending.

By April 10 he was out burgling again in Jefferson Street, in Goole, confronting another householder. This time he was caught with his hand in a woman's handbag.

Before he could be tracked down he went shoplifting and stole £30 worth of bacon from the Costcutters store in Goole. It also emerged he had a poor record for his drug-treatment programme, which was attempting to rid him of addiction.

Jailing Mr Broadley, after he abused a fellow judge's trust, Judge Michael Mettyear said the defendant had a terrible record of previous convictions at the age of 25. "You were given a golden opportunity when you were last before the courts and given a suspended custodial term," said Judge Mettyear.

"Really, your conduct on it was hopeless in that you committed other offences and didn't turn up when required to do so. It is clear from your record that you return to dishonesty when something goes against you.

"Dwelling-house burglary is very serious. You fall under the three-strikes rule where, in future, the likely starting point is three years. It will go up from there."

Mr Broadley of Carlisle Street in Goole, has given the courts previous addresses in Limetree Avenue and Broadway.

Prosecuting at Hull Crown Court on Monday, May 21 Andrew Wilson said Mr Broadley had not only pleaded guilty to two burglaries and a breach of sentence, but had also admitted a theft and assault on a former girlfriend on June 18. He also admitted failing to surrender to custody.

He said the victim of the assault had been out with a friend when she met up with Nicholas Broadley. He said they argued. Later that night they met again and Mr Broadley ended up pushing her to the floor. Her handbag fell open and he took her mobile phone.

More than a decade of offending

The court heard he had previous convictions going back to 1996 for possession of heroin, obtaining property by deception, shop theft, handling stolen goods and house burglary.

Defence barrister Chris Dunn said Mr Broadley had made efforts to rid himself of his drug habit since he had been in prison and was making "all the right noises" and did not want the courts to crush hopes of release.

"This is a case where the defendant knows he is going to custody," said Mr Dunn. "He has blown a very good opportunity to get his life in hand. He has been in custody one month and not been able to see his children. That has affected him in a way he has not experienced before."

He said Mr Broadley had in the past stayed off drugs for a short period.

He added: "He is not a hopeless case, although on first blush it may look like it."

The judge made no order to repay costs as in the March hearing. Mr Broadley was handcuffed and led away to cells and a waiting prison van.