A west Cumbrian man has been warned he faces a prison sentence “of some significance” for burglary and then fraudulently using a bank card he stole during the crime.
Thirty-year-old Paul Joseph Carr admitted three offences when he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court remotely, over a video link, this morning.
Carr pleaded guilty to burglary of a home at Scalegill Road, Moor Row, near Cleator Moor, and theft of a bank card, a quantity of cash and cigarettes.
He further admitted fraud having used that bank card at the Spar shop in Bigrigg; and also handling stolen goods, namely clothing. All of the offences took place on September 22 this year.
Carr’s barrister told the court he wished to be sentenced immediately and that, in view of his criminal record, accepted he faced an “inevitable” custodial sentence.
But Judge Ian Unsworth KC instead asked for the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report, concluding that the court would be assisted by more information about the defendant’s response to previous sentences of supervision.
Judge Unsworth adjourned the case until November 15, and Carr, of Devon Road, Hensingham, will remain in custody in the meantime.
“Custody is inevitable and the length of the prison sentence will be of some significance,” the judge told him. “However, it is vital that the court has all the proper information before it before coming to a fixed conclusion.”
