A burglar described as a one-man crimewave has been jailed for 18 months.

James Whitlock, 18, of Holland Road, Kirby Cross, admitted stealing £375 worth of telephone kits and alarms from T&M Auto Electricals of Colchester in May.

Christopher Kerr, prosecuting, told Chelmsford Crown Court how Whitlock, along with others, went to the premises in a Transit van, tied a rope to the shop grille to rip it off, and stole various items before driving off. They were later stopped by police and arrested.

Whitlock also admitted a charge of driving while disqualified and escaping from custody in Clacton in June.

He was stopped by police, tried to climb into the back of the car in a bid to deny he was driving, and was then arrested. He then ran off but was later captured.

He also admitted intimidating a witness in Clacton in July in connection with an alleged robbery. He was acquitted of robbery at the crown court yesterday. No evidence was offered.

Whitlock had since made efforts to stay clean of drink and drugs and had faced more responsibility since his girlfriend gave birth.

Richard Kelly, in mitigation, told the court Whitlock was now trying to turn his life around and had been clean of drink and drugs.

He said: "Perhaps his greatest punishment is missing seeing his child at a young age, being born and the first few months."

Recorder John Bate-Williams said: "For somebody who is only 18, nearly 19, you have a terrible record - no less than 51 offences of dishonesty, violence and driving offences from 1996 to 2003."

He jailed Whitlock for nine months for burglary, three months and a 12-month ban for driving while disqualified, three months for escaping from custody, and three months for intimidation of a witness, to run consecutively

Published Tuesday November 18, 2003

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