Man jailed after stealing Poppy Appeal tin, just hours after being punished at court for another burglary

A callous burglar has been locked up for six months for stealing a Poppy Appeal tin - just hours being punished at court for another burglary.

Wayne Robinson, 34, broke into Acklam Iron and Steelworks Athletic Club on Park Road South, in Middlesbrough, the day after Remembrance Day.

Robinson had been in court on Wednesday morning, and received a community order for a burglary in which he stole booze from the TS1 pub in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

After leaving court, Robinson went to a probation service appointment and then went on to steal the money meant for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Jailing Robinson at Teesside Magistrates Court yesterday, District Judge Andrew Meachin said: “This was a despicable act, and in many ways six months is not long enough.”

Prosecuting, Paul Power had told the court that the alarm at the social club had gone off at around 1.45pm, and when police arrived a back door had been pulled off the hinges and a bike was outside.

Police found Robinson inside with the charity tin concealed under his arm and arrested him.

Mr Power said: “Many will be appalled by the nature of the crime, especially so close to Remembrance Day and in this especially poignant year.”

Robinson, who lives on Eden Road, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, just yards from the club, had pleaded guilty to burglary at the hearing.

Mitigating, Rachel Dyson said that repeat offender Robinson often found it difficult to find money when he was released from prison.

She said: “He has a long record for being before the courts, for other burglaries and other matters, and he tends to receive the short, sharp shock of custody which he says does nothing to help his underlying problems.

“He only had £49 when he got out of prison last time.”

Ms Dyson said Robinson “was completely desperate” when he took the tin, and he had been speaking to the DWP about his benefits.

Pleading for a suspended sentence, she continued: “He recognises the difficult position he is in. Given the nature of the offence, even with his aggravating features, a prison sentence this court could give would not be enough for him to get on any rehabilitation course.”

But District Judge Meachin said to Robinson: “The only credit you are getting is that I am not sending you to Crown Court, because you would have got an even longer sentence there.”