Bungling Stockton criminal told he was stupid and hamfisted after trying and failing to steal JCB

6 Feb 2014 11:20

Tony Hilton did not manage to shift the hired JCB after attempting to steal it from a Taylor Wimpey building site in Middlesbrough

Tony Hilton, of Norton Road, Stockton, admitted attempted theft

A bungling criminal tried and failed to steal a JCB in a crime branded stupid and hamfisted by Teesside’s top judge.

Tony Hilton got into a Taylor Wimpey building site in Middlesbrough and attempted to take the JCB, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.

The vehicles, which have been the target of thieves in the past, were fitted with immobilisers and trackers.

Hilton did not manage to shift the hired JCB, said prosecutor Sharon Elves.

Its driver came to the site the next morning to find the wires and tracker hanging from their mounting and wires stripped in an attempt at sabotage.

Hilton, 29, left his DNA on a water bottle behind the driver’s seat, the court was told.

He was arrested and made no comment in interview.

The JCB was stolen successfully two days later. Hilton denied knowledge of this.

Hilton, of Norton Road, Stockton, admitted attempted theft. He had 45 previous offences on his record.

David Lamb, defending, said Hilton pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had only two other convictions for dishonesty, the last four years ago.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, said he did not know the value or age of the JCB.

He said: “If it was a new one I’d have no compunction but to lock him up. I have no idea what state it was in.”

He told Hilton: “You attempted to carry out a professional theft. You committed it in a very unprofessional manner.

“You set about trying to steal it in a very hamfisted way.

“You compounded your stupidity by leaving behind at the scene your DNA. Not particularly professional.”

He said Hilton hadn’t helped himself and failed to comply with past community orders.

He gave Hilton a nine-month prison sentence, but suspended it for two years with 140 hours’ unpaid work.

He added: “On balance, just, I’ll give you this opportunity to see if you can stay out of trouble for the next two years.

“If you don’t you’ll be brought back before me and locked up for the nine months.”