[A] Carlisle man asked to be sent to prison at the city’s Rickergate Magistrates Court yesterday [Weds] for a number of public order and theft offences, he was fined and released, but today [Thurs] he appeared from police custody this time back before District Judge Gerald Chalk and was sent to prison after he pleaded guilty to a new charge of criminal damage.
The judge was told how Lee Paul Kelton, 35, formerly of an address in Harraby but now homeless, went into the Betfred Bookmakers office on English Street on the afternoon of Wednesday July 11, on a previous visit to the bookmakers he threatened members of the staff and was asked to leave.
Kelton told police that he went back inside to look for the male member of staff that asked him to leave and he was going to throw an empty bottle of beer at his head.
Kelton couldn’t see the male, the judge was told how he had two empty beer bottles and threw them at the shops front window on his way out, smashing the glass.
The court was told Kelton has 27-previous convictions for various criminal offences dating back to 2005.
His lawyer Chris Toms explained to the judge how his client wanted to go to prison as he is homeless, the lawyer was instructed by Kelton not-to contest any of the evidence, as Kelton feels prison is the best place for him at the moment.
On passing sentence District Judge Chalk said, this was a deliberate revenge attack on the shop and staff, he was sent to prison for a total of 28-days, 14 for the criminal damage and the remainder for unpaid fines, on release he will under supervision of the Probation Service for one-year, when he is released he has to pay £200 in compensation for the damage to the window.
