Wise-cracking Walsall burglar silenced by judge for singing Madness hit It Must Be Love after admitting axe crime
A Madness fan was ordered to button it by a shocked judge after singing "it must be love, love, love" after pleading guilty to burglary and possessing an axe.
Shaun Melia was in a cheerful mood during his plea hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday (August 15) despite having been languishing in custody on remand when most defendants charged with the offences he faced would be free.
The 38-year-old, of Temple Bar, Walsall, appeared at the plea hearing via video link from prison. He pleaded guilty to burgling a property in his own building to steal tools including a drill on July 11 this year, and to possessing an axe in a public place.
Recorder Amy Jackson KC said: "How, and I do not question the decision made, has this defendant found himself remanded in custody on this matter? Is it because the burglary was committed where he was living?
Defending Simon Hands replied: "Yes, other than that, it is a potentially surprising decision to remand him in custody."
Melia does not have any relevant previous convictions and was ordered to liaise with the Probation Service so its officers can complete a pre-sentence report.
After pleading guilty, Melia decided to lighten the mood during a lull in proceedings by bursting into song. In a Black Country baritone, he sang: "It must be love, love, love. De, de, de."
