Lockwood man sent to prison for theft

Jun 25 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A LOCKWOOD man was sent to prison for stealing York paving stones from a house development.

James Beaumont, 26, of Yews Hill Road, was also sentenced for driving while disqualified.

Magistrates sent him down for six weeks, telling him they thought he would re-offend otherwise.

The court heard that Beaumont was caught driving while disqualified on April 9.

He had previously been banned four years before at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester for dangerous driving.

Vanessa Schofield, prosecuting, said he was seen by police on Blackmoorfoot Road on April 9 driving to see a friend.

They pulled him over and he admitted he was banned.

On June 1 he was caught by police in a van which contained York paving stones he and two friends had stolen from a house on Wooldale Road.

Police stopped the van and his two accomplices ran away from the scene leaving him with the stolen goods.

A search of his house revealed further stones which had been stolen on May 28.

The value of the items was said to be around £500.

During a police interview Beaumont fully admitted the offences but wouldn’t name the other people involved.

He pleaded guilty in court at the first opportunity.

Michael Sisson-Pell, defending, said: “With the benefit of hindsight he accepts he was foolish to drive.

“When stopped by police in connection with the theft, he admitted the offence. He could have evaded the police but chose to stay.”