Burglary victim offered bribe to abandon case
A father of two who tried to bribe a woman whose home had been burgled by his partner by offering her money to drop the case has avoided a prison sentence.
Craig Platt, aged 27, was warned by Judge Amjad Nawaz that it was his 'last chance' after he was spared jail for perverting the course of justice.
Wolverhampton Crown Court was told that in August last year Platt had a chance meeting with Charlotte Simkins who was at the probation offices in Union Street, Horseley Fields, Wolverhampton.
Miss Simkins' home had been burgled by Platt's partner Nicola Ginty weeks before.
Miss Amy Jacobs, prosecuting, described how Platt called Miss Simkins outside for a chat.
"The defendant asked the claimant why she was going through with the complaint," she said.
"He was telling her not to continue with it and offered her money to not take the matter forward.
He was aware that windows at her home had been smashed during the burglary and offered to pay for them if she chose not to continue with her complaint. Miss Simkins went back inside the probation offices and told probation workers."
Two days later, Platt handed himself in at the police station but told officers that while he had spoken to the victim he had not told her to drop the complaint.
The matter had been due to go to trial but on the day of the hearing Platt changed his plea to guilty.
The court heard that Nicola Ginty had also pleaded guilty to burglary for the offence at Miss Simkins' home.
Miss Sarah Hurd, defending, said: "This is a case that does cross the custody threshold. This man is now 27 and needs to go back to the life he'd previously lived before this offence. He has two children.
"He's extremely remorseful and wants to be there to support his family."
Platt, of Martin Street, Parkfields, was sentenced to 13 months in prison suspended for two years and was ordered to take part in a 'thinking skills' programme.
Sentencing him, Judge Nawaz said: "The serious aspect of this offence strikes at the core of the justice system and prevents people from complaining about wrongs that have happened to them."
