Thief given chance to turn life around

By sbrewis

An opportunistic thief who stole a car and other property from college staff has escaped an immediate jail sentence.

Heroin addict Graham Murney, who was described as having "a high risk of re-offending", was given a 20-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, with supervision from the probation service.

When he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday, he was told he was being given a chance.

The 27-year-old was also ordered to complete a nine-month drug rehabilitation programme.

Recorder Geoffrey Solomons told him: "It's up to you now.

"You have to make the effort to stop committing offences and address your drug problem.

"I'm prepared to take a risk with you. I hope, in the light of what I've been told, that you want to rid yourself of your drug habit."

Murney, of Glenfield Road, New Parks, Leicester, admitted going to Longslade Community College, in Birstall, on November 21 and stealing a car after taking the keys from a jacket.

The vehicle was recovered a month later with false plates.

He also admitted stealing a mobile phone and purse from an office at Groby Community College, on November 24.

Murney admitted stealing a handbag from a car at William Bradford Community College, Earl Shilton, on November 26. He asked for three other thefts to be taken into consideration.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said Murney had 62 previous convictions, including for offences of dishonesty.

He had been imprisoned in the past, given community penalties and been on an earlier drug rehabilitation order.

In November 2007, he was jailed for 21 months – having asked for 109 crimes to be considered – and was released in August last year.

Paul Prior, defending, said: "He tells me he's thoroughly sick of the drugs and the life it forces him to lead.

"His three-year-old daughter is an important figure in his life and he knows, due to custodial sentences and heroin addiction, that he's been a terrible parent.

"He has been given an ultimatum about seeing his daughter in future.

"He knows he's got to rid himself of the addiction that haunts him."