Burglar on rampage avoids jail sentence

A burglar who went on a rampage at a Midland secondary school causing more than £5,000 worth of damage, has avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Shane Field, of Walsall, broke into Frank F Harrison Engineering College in Bloxwich last month and tried to flee with computer equipment. But the 20-year-old was caught with accomplice Brian Maughan.

They were held trying to flee the site in Leamore Lane, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Geoffrey Dann said they had stacked up three computer monitors and a hard drive unit outside and two computer mice were in Field's pockets.

Police arrived at the scene after the alarms were activated on October 19 and caught the pair trying to scale a fence.

The court heard the total value of the haul was around £1,300, and the cost of the damage at the school was more than £5,000.

Mr Dann said Field at first made no comment to police but later admitted the burglary.

Hina Paw, defending, said in mitigation: "This defendant has a problem with alcohol. This offence was committed after he consumed a lot of alcohol with the co-defendant.

"He had a troubled upbringing and left school without formal qualifications. He wants to get a job and get on with his life."

Field, of Rutherford Road, Beechdale, was handed a 14-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a 12-month supervision order.

He will undergo a six-month alcohol treatment programme and carry out 180 hours' unpaid work.

Sentencing Field, Recorder William Edis QC told him: "You and your co-defendant caused £5,000 of damage. Not only was this a burglary, it was a rampage."

Maughan, aged 20, of Malkit Close, Bentley, was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison last month.