'Jekyll and Hyde' Telford man burgled houses and shop
A Telford man who described himself as "Jekyll and Hyde" character has been spared jail – despite breaking into three homes and a charity shop in the space of a month.
Paul Cotton, 50, of Winifreds Drive, Donnington, told police he had no idea what he was doing when he mixed alcohol with medication he was taking for mental health problems.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard he threw a brick through a glass panel of the front door of the Sue Ryder shop in Wellington on the evening of September 27 last year.
Miss Samantha Powis, prosecuting, said Cotton gained access to the staff area upstairs,, where he helped himself to six doughnuts and attempted to cook a microwave meal before leaving.
On the same night Cotton, who told police he was cold and hungry after a heavy drinking session, was caught on CCTV trying to ram a shopping trolley through the doors of Subway and Greggs in the town.
He did not gain entry but damaged the Subway door, the court heard.
Miss Powis told the court that on October 10 last year Cotton was seen helping himself to sweets and coal at a service station in Ketley. He broke into three homes – in Hilltop Road, Oakengates; Trench Road, Trench, and Winifreds Drive, Donnington – in October and November last year.
In two of the cases, Miss Powis saidm the homeowners were asleep upstairs. Nothing was taken in the raids on Hilltop Road and Trench Road but items of electrical equipment including a TV and games console were stolen from the Winifreds Drive address.
Miss Powis said: "He told police he was like a Jekyll and Hyde character due to his medication."
Cotton admitted four burglaries, one theft and a charge of criminal damage. He appeared at court yesterday to be sentenced.
Mrs Debra White, for Cotton, said: "I would submit these types of offences really do lean towards the difficulties he has had with mental health and with his alcohol intake. The two don't mix."
Judge Jim Tindal sentenced Cotton to 20 months in prison, suspended – but opted to suspend the term of custody for a period of two years.
He ordered the defendant to pay a total of £1,200 compensation to the homeowners within nine months, as well as undertaking rehabilitation and alcohol treatment programmes.
