Burglar arrested after being bitten by police dog

Joshua Cox had earlier broken into a caravan on the Baythorpe site at Ingoldmells along with two other men. They stolen £150 cash, a mobile phone and the keys to a Ford Eco Sport car wich was parked outside.

Siward James-Moore, prosecuting, said that the vehicle was driven off but was spotted at 1 am on Scarbrough Avenue in Skegness.

“The vehicle had three occupants. The police pursued it.

“It was travelling over the speed limit. The vehicle came to a stop and reversed into the police car.”

As a result the police vehicle was damaged and the car was driven off. It was seen later at Burgh le Marsh and a further pursuit followed which ended when the vehicle was abandoned in a field.

Cox was found by the police dog in a wooded area.

Mr James-Moore said “The defendant was bitten by the police dog and arrested.”

The other two people in the vehicle have not been traced.

The court was told that Cox had 22 previous convictions for a total of 56 offences.

Cox, 22, of Millfields Caravan Park, Ingoldmells, admitted charges of burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, drive while disqualified, driving without insurance and breach of a criminal behaviour order as a result of the incident on 13 September 2019. He was jailed for two years and four months and disqualified from driving for three years and two months.

Tom Heath, in mitigation, said Cox had mental health issues and at the time of the incident had stopped taking his medication.

“He has spent seven months in custody following his arrest. He expresses remorse. Since being remanded in custody he has been co-operating with the mental health team.”