A thieving Carlisle man who burgled two garages, leaving his own mobile phone at one crime scene, has been jailed for almost a year.
Simon Robert Highmore, 31, was branded a “menace” by a judge who punished him for new offences committed just weeks after he was released from custody and still on licence.
Highmore burgled the garage of a home at Granville Road in the city during the early hours of November 14, forcing the door and stealing a bottle of linseed oil which was later found at his Newtown Road home.
Damning evidence tied him to the crime, prosecutor Tim Evans telling Carlisle Crown Court how a hammer, screwdriver and mobile phone was found.
“When that phone was looked at it was very plainly this defendant’s, and very plainly because it had photographs of him on it,” said Mr Evans.
Later on November 14, Highmore also burgled a second garage, attached to a home on Newfield Drive in Carlisle, stealing a £250 bike and making noises heard by the husband and wife householders.
Highmore was found hiding in a bush by police, having been discovered almost asleep by a neighbour.
Another stolen bike, along with a hedge-trimmer, external light and a set of golf clubs which had also been pinched during break-ins, were found at his house along with the oil.
Highmore admitted two counts of burglary, two of handling stolen goods and the illegal possession of cannabis and diazepam.
Judge Peter Davies heard Highmore had 119 previous offences – many for theft – to his name, and observed that his primarily targeted garages and sheds.
Brendan Burke, defending, said he was in a stable relationship, had a fixed address, revealed his father was dying of heart disease, and suggested a prison sentence could be suspended.
But, jailing Highmore for a total of 48 weeks, Judge Davies told the defendant: “It really is a preposterous continuation of offending and yet you plead before me for a suspended sentence.”
The judge added: “You are a menace. You are a nuisance.”
