Boozed-up burglar who raided Sheffield pub is narrowly spared from time behind bars
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Sheffield Magistrates’ Court – sitting at the Sheffield Crown Court building – heard today, Thursday, June 4, how Anthony Armstrong, aged 46, of Welby Place, Meersbrook, Sheffield, stole two charity boxes and two receipt readers from the Red Lion, on London Road, Sheffield.
Mark Hughes, defending, said the landlord his wife and a lodger were staying above the pub when it was burgled but they only discovered the property had been raided when police knocked on their door the following morning.
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Hide AdMr Hughes added a large window had been smashed and two tills had been damaged and two receipt readers and two charity boxes were missing.
Police found a positive DNA match which identified Armstrong as the offender, according to Mr Hughes.
Armstrong, who has a criminal record, pleaded guilty to the burglary after the incident on April 25.
The defendant told police he had been drinking at home and had gone to the Red Lion pub and acknowledged CCTV footage captured him at the scene of the crime.
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Hide AdKaren Moxon-Smith, defending, said Armstrong had been drunk and cannot understand why he burgled the pub.
She added the defendant suffers with depression and anxiety and although he does use drugs occasionally he had not committed the offence to fund any drug-habit.
District Judge Grace Leong sentenced Armstrong to 14-weeks of custody suspended for 12-months with a rehabilitation requirement and an eight-week curfew.
He must also pay £180 compensation.