Thief spared from jail after making progress

A repeat offender has been spared from a jail sentence after he has been making progress with the probation service.
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Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on May 10 how Mark Reynolds, 41, of Mercaston Close, Holmehall, Chesterfield, had been caught attempting to steal washing up liquids valued at £22.76 in February belonging to the Spar, on Mansfield Road, Hasland.

By committing this offence jobless Reynolds had also breached a suspended sentence order which had been imposed for previous offences of theft and an assault.

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The defendant was also subject to post-sentence supervision, according to the court, after he had been released from custody in November, last year, in relation to another matter.

However, District Judge Andrew Davison had deferred sentencing Reynolds until May because he was reluctant to jail him after the attempted theft when there were signs he was turning his life around.

The probation service stated that Reynolds had been engaging well with them and attending appointments and the court heard that apart from a caution for possessing cannabis Reynolds had committed no further crimes since the attempted theft in February.

District Judge Davison said: “I was concerned about sending this man back to custody when there were positives on the horizon and it seems the deferment has worked.”

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He added: “I am satisfied there have been positive improvements and there has been no significant offending.”

District Judge Davison sentenced Reynolds to a 12 month community order with a five day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and a six-month Drug Rehabilitation Requirement.

The defendant’s existing suspended sentence order was also extended from 12 months to 15 months and he must pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

District Judge Davison warned Reynolds that if he fails to continue paying outstanding fines owed to the court or breaches any of his sentencing conditions he will face custody.