Prolific Offender Given Drug Treatment Chance to Avoid Jail
A repeat offender, John Chapman, has been given a unique opportunity to turn his life around and avoid jail time. Chapman, who has a long history of criminal activity and drug addiction, appeared in Teesside Crown Court after committing two burglaries in a matter of weeks. However, rather than imposing immediate imprisonment, Judge Paul Watson KC offered Chapman a chance to undergo drug rehabilitation treatment and avoid jail if he commits no further crimes for the next two years.
The first burglary took place on April 14 when Chapman targeted an empty house in Hartlepool. Alerted by takeaway workers who spotted him rummaging through the property, the police arrived promptly and arrested him as he tried to escape through a window. The second burglary occurred on June 6, just a day before Chapman was due to appear in court for the first offense. This time, he forcefully entered The King Johns Tavern in Hartlepool town centre, stealing an empty till and causing the landlord to suffer a loss of £150.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Chapman has a staggering 69 convictions for a total of 97 offenses, including three previous burglaries. Acknowledging his criminal background, defense solicitor Calum McNicholas requested that the three-strike burglary sentence not be activated, as Chapman had never targeted a house occupied by residents at the time.
Taking a unique approach, Judge Paul Watson KC decided to follow the recommendations of the Probation Service. He imposed a suspended sentence on Chapman, meaning that he would remain free as long as he adhered to a drug rehabilitation treatment order. However, the judge made it clear that Chapman must fully commit to his rehabilitation and avoid further criminal activity, or else he would face a three-year prison sentence.
Expressing determination to turn his life around, Chapman assured the judge that he would seize the opportunity given to him. I’m clean now, and if anyone offers me drugs, I will refuse. I don’t want to be in prison again, he stated.
In light of Chapman’s statements and the potential for rehabilitation, Judge Paul Watson KC sentenced him to two years in custody suspended for two years. Alongside this, he imposed the drug treatment order to provide Chapman with a genuine chance to transform his life. However, the judge issued a stern warning, noting that if Chapman were to reoffend, he would be swiftly incarcerated.
Judge Paul Watson KC’s approach reflects a growing emphasis on addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior and providing support for individuals struggling with drug addiction. This decision offers Chapman a lifeline and the opportunity to break free from a life of crime and substance abuse. Whether he can seize this chance and make a lasting change remains to be seen, but for now, the hope is that this intervention will set him on a path to rehabilitation and a crime-free future.
