[A] MAN who clocked up his EIGHTH drink-driving conviction during a crime spree which also included a Carlisle pub burglary has been jailed.
Mark Paton, 38, was three times the legal limit when stopped by police on the A6 behind the wheel of a stolen Audi A3 on August 26.
He was bailed but went on to commit a string of other offences. These included a burglary at Carlisle’s Harraby Inn on September 17, when he was caught red-handed on the premises and equipped for theft as an alarm sounded.
Paton also stole property belonging to two businesses based at the city’s Durranhill industrial estate. His loot was said to have included a toaster, a kettle and eight garden gnomes.
Paton was given a 16-month prison term at Carlisle Crown Court having previously admitted seven offences. These were handling stolen goods, drink-driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, two burglaries and two thefts.
He also received a three-year driving ban.
The court heard Paton, of Petteril Bank Road, Carlisle, had been suffering from “significant psychiatric problems” following the death of his long-term partner.
