A HOMELESS man and woman who committed serious crimes in West Cumbria while dressed in pyjamas following a “chaotic drink and drug-fuelled night” have been handed jail terms.
As cases continued to be heard at Carlisle Crown Court with remote working arrangements now in place amid the coronavirus crisis, Anthony James Rodgers, 33, and 32-year-old Charlene Craig were sentenced for offending which occurred on December 11.
The court was told Rodgers and Craig – homeless at that time and living in a tent – were wearing pyjamas and carrying heavy bags when they met a worse-for-wear stranger in Workington town centre at around 9pm. Aged in his late 60s, he invited them back to his Maryport home after a day’s drinking.
After drugs and possibly more alcohol were consumed, Rodgers punched the householder in the face, causing facial injuries and leaving him “fearing for his life”.
Hours after Craig left the property, she broke into an address at The Promenade in Maryport, removing food from a fridge.
She later admitted burglary and was punished in court today (FRI) along with Rodgers, who admitted assaulting the man, causing actual bodily harm.
He received a nine-month prison sentence and eight penalty driving licence points having also admitted two motoring offences. Craig was given a six-month jail term by Judge Nicholas Barker, who observed that the crimes were committed “after a chaotic drink and drug-fuelled night”.
Both Rodgers and Craig attended over video links from different prisons, while barristers in the case also appeared remotely using a Skype application to communicate with Judge Barker as he sat in court. Addressing all parties, a clerk – also in the courtroom – stated of the Skype link: “That does not change the serious nature or the importance of the hearing.”
