Man released from prison on licence escapes return to cells after 'dodgy deal' in Louth

Heath Richard Pocklington, now of no fixed address, admitted dishonestly handling the stolen vehicle at his then home in North Holme Court in Louth, as well as driving it without insurance and with no driving licence, when he appeared before District Judge Derek French at Skegness Magistrates’ Court.

Daniel Pietryka, prosecuting, said the Mitsubishi had been stolen from Essex on October 25 last year and was checked by police in Louth on January 21 because it had registration plates relating to a Land Rover.

Pocklington told police he had bought the £2,500 vehicle for £300 and thought it was a “dodgy deal”, but he wanted it to drive it off road.

In mitigation, Carrie Simpson told the judge Pocklington had been released from prison on licence in August 2015 and had been doing well.

She said he had been offered it as an off road truck and couldn’t resist.

The judge heard from the Probation Service that Pocklington had been released on licence from an 18-month prison sentence imposed in February 2015 and had 100% attendance on that licence.

The judge told Pocklington that “there are no thieves without receivers.”

Imposing a 12 week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, the judge said:“You have been on licence for four or five months which should have been a reminder to you that you must not offend”.

He was also ordered to attend a 15 day rehabilitation programme and also to pay a total of £165 in costs and charges and a £150 fine. Six penalty points were put on his licence for driving without insurance.