A garage burglar has been spared prison after magistrates heard of his newfound pride in full-time job prospects.
After more than 50 offences on his record, Robert Mackenzie is finally straightening out his life, Teesside magistrates heard.
His hopes of full-time work were a “monumental moment” for the 34-year-old facing sentence for three offences on Thursday.
He was stopped by police walking on an embankment near Guisborough with a torch, small hammer and screwdriver near where he stood in the early hours of September 10.
Then he sped through a barrier, snapping it, at the Cleveland Centre car park on November 1, said prosecutor Lynne Dalton.
He stole a mountain bike and helmet from an unlocked garage on Thirlby Way, Guisborough the following morning.
The stolen goods were dumped on allotments on Wilton Lane.
When he was arrested Mackenzie said: “It was me, sir.”
He said he was on a drink and drugs binge after an argument with his partner at the time of the garage burglary.
He was “clowning around” with the bike before he realised how stupid he had been, felt embarrassed to take it back and left it close by.
He said he had paid for a valid ticket at the shopping centre car park but could not get out and panicked in frustration amid another argument with his girlfriend.
Mackenzie, of Raithwaite Close, Guisborough, admitted burglary of the garage, criminal damage and going equipped to steal.
He had 53 previous offences on his record.
The court heard he had four children, including one to a terminally ill ex-partner, and the Probation Service said he seemed motivated to change.
Julian Gaskin, defending, said since the offences Mackenzie was employed through an agency and proved himself as a decent worker.
For the first time he had a letter to show the court saying his employers were looking to take him on full-time, said Mr Gaskin.
He added: “This is a very important letter for Mr Mackenzie.
“He is very, very proud of that letter. This is a monumental moment for him.
“He’s said ‘all I ever wanted in life was to get that chance’. He’s had that chance.
“He’s been buckling down to prove himself for once in his life he can do something positive.
“He’s now probably for the first time in his life in a position to pay compensation.”
He said Mackenzie admitted he had been “utterly stupid”, apologised and showed real remorse for his offending, which happened while he was “stressed out” over family tensions.
Mackenzie was given an eight-week prison sentence suspended for a year with supervision and 100 hours’ unpaid work.
He was ordered to pay £150 compensation for the broken car park barrier.
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