Do not bite the hand that… is trying to keep you out of prison
An inept thief has been found guilty of stealing his own defence barrister’s mobile phone while at court.
Attending Bexley Magistrates’ Court to plead guilty to possession of cannabis and driving without insurance last summer, it would appear Bobby Heath took a shine to his barrister’s £300 Samsung Galaxy.
Bobby Heath, 25 of Strood, Kent has just been charged with stealing his barristers mobile phone at Bexley magistrates court on 1st May 2015.
— Bexley MPS (@MPSBexley) May 5, 2015
Having briefly met with Heath to discuss his legal options, Charlotte Johnson of Manchester’s Central Chambers quickly realised her mobile phone had disappeared. Unfortunately for Heath, court CCTV identified him as the bungling thief and he was arrested several days later.
Appearing at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the 26-year-old — who is currently serving a prison sentence for another offence — refused to leave his holding cell, and was found guilty in his absence.
PC Paine, commenting on the somewhat unusual case, said:
I’m pleased with the conviction. Heath is a repeat offender. This crime shows he doesn’t care who he targets or what misery he causes. I hope this case reassures the public we take this type of offence seriously, incidents will be fully investigated, we will pursue offenders, and we will prosecute them wherever possible.
Heath, of Strood, Kent will be sentenced on 21 June.