Jailed serial offender from Sheffield faces contempt of court hearing after he insulted judge

A serial offender with over 200 previous convictions verbally insulted a judge after he was jailed for a string of thefts, burglaries and frauds.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on January 27 how David Dixon, aged 48, of Brightmore Drive, Netherthorpe, Sheffield, called Judge Sarah Wright a “f*****g s**g” from a prison video link after he was sentenced to 37 months of custody.

Judge Wright said: “I heard the words the defendant has said as he left the room a few minutes ago and I regard that as a contempt of court.”

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Dixon’s defence barrister, Ian Goldsack, discussed the situation with the defendant before Dixon was summoned to reappear minutes later via his prison video-link.

Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, heard how a jailed serial offender faces a contempt of court hearing after he insulted a judge.Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, heard how a jailed serial offender faces a contempt of court hearing after he insulted a judge.
Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, heard how a jailed serial offender faces a contempt of court hearing after he insulted a judge.

Mr Goldsack told Judge Wright: “It won’t surprise you to learn he was extremely disappointed with your honour’s sentence and he accepts he spoke in anger.”

He added: “He would like to pass on his apology through me for the way he expressed himself.”

However, as Dixon attempted to personally apologise Judge Wright chose to adjourn the hearing until Friday, January 29, after she said she had concerns about the defendant’s “tone” and “insolence”.

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Dixon told the court: “I am sorry for what I said. At the end of the day I was trying to sort my life out. I am sorry for what I did. I am genuinely sorry for what I said but I lost my temper.”

But Judge Wright said: “I regard his behaviour, his tone, his insolence in the way he spoke to me as completely and utterly inappropriate.”

Dixon, who has 203 previous convictions, had pleaded guilty to three non-dwelling burglaries, two shop thefts, a wallet theft, and fraud matters after he had used the contents from the wallet on five occasions.

Ian West, prosecuting, had told the court Dixon stole tools from an apartment at Riverside Court during a burglary in November, 2019.

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Dixon also stole perfumes from a Boots store, at Stocksbridge, during a theft in March, 2020, according to Mr West.

Mr West added that Dixon also burgled a boxing gym and a WH Smith’s store, on Fargate, Sheffield, in July.

Dixon also stole a wallet from a man in August and bank cards, according to Mr West, and committed subsequent low-level frauds with the contents of the wallet.

Mr West said the defendant also stole chocolate from a Co-op in Southey Green, Sheffield, in July.

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Mr Goldsack said Dixon realises he has reached a stage in his life where he has to change and having missed out on spending time with his children he does not want to make the same mistake with his grandchildren.

He added Dixon has been getting support with his drug problem and claims he is seeing things more clearly than he has done before.

Judge Wright sentenced Dixon to 37 months of custody and placed him on Criminal Behaviour Order for five years.

Dixon is due to appear at a further hearing on Friday, January 29, in relation to the contempt of court matter.

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