Teen who burgled his grandad is given final warning by judge

A Gainsborough teenager who burgled his own grandfather has been given three weeks to comply with a court order or face jail.
Standard In Court LogoStandard In Court Logo
Standard In Court Logo

Callum Johnson escaped with a suspended sentence when he was dealt with at Lincoln Crown Court in October.

Johnson was also given 150 hours of unpaid work for the burglary but Lincoln Crown Court has been told that he has completed just 10 hours of unpaid work and has failed to maintain contact with his offender manager.

Stuart Lody, prosecuting for the probation service, said Johnson had also failed to attend for supervision appointments on both February 3, and 16.

Mr Lody said: “He effectively has simply not bothered.”

Johnson, 19, of Fillingham Close, Gainsborough, admitted breach of a suspended sentence order.

David Eager, defending, said that after being sentenced in October Johnson went to live in the south-east and obtained work with an uncle but that fell through and he returned to Gainsborough.

Mr Eager told the court that arrangements have been made for Johnson to carry out six unpaid work sessions over the next fortnight and urged that his client be given a further chance.

He said: “He has sat there and buried his head in the sand. He doesn’t deserve the opportunity but if he can engage then we can turn this young man’s life around.”

Judge John Pini QC adjourned the hearing until April 26, when Johnson will be sentenced.

But the judge said: “He must clearly understand that if there is a single glitch, however minor, I will activate the suspended sentence.”

Back in October Johnson admitted burglary at his grandfather’s house in St John’s Terrace, Gainsborough.

The court was told that Johnson entered the property but was disturbed when his grandfather Jeffrey Thom went to investigate noises he heard shortly before 4am.

Johnson was found hiding in an upstairs room and when confronted put his hands over his face and ran down the stairs.

He was recognised by his grandfather who called police and Johnson was arrested.