A burglar stole money to buy drugs to end his life

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard today, Thursday, May 25, how Mark Robinson burgled his landlady’s home at Chesterfield Cattery, on Crow Lane, Chesterfield, as well as her nearby office.

Prosecuting solicitor Sam Matkin told a previous hearing that Robinson was going to be evicted from the landlady’s property and when she returned from a weekend away she discovered money and a ring had been stolen.

Robinson told police he was going to be evicted and had drunk vodka and went to the victim’s flat and admitted to police going on to buy drugs.

The defendant, 36, of Market Street, Heanor, pleaded guilty to committing the two burglaries on March 19.

Defence solicitor Kirsty Sargent said Robinson had stolen the money to buy drugs with the intention of ending his life.

Ms Sargent added that he never intended to hurt the complainant but after he knew he was going to be evicted this was something else that he could not cope with.

She said: “There was no ransacking and targeting or any planning or organisation. He had just had enough and wanted to end his life and he had wanted to quickly find something that would help him do that.”

The court heard how Robinson, who is a former member of the Armed Forces, is taking anti-depressants and suffers with post traumatic stress disorder but he is getting support from a veterans’ charity.

Despite the Crown’s position that Robinson had also stolen a ring, Ms Sargent stated that Robinson still does not accept taking the ring but he does accept any decision of the court.

Magistrates sentenced Robinson to a 12 month community order with a 16-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and a 12 week curfew.

He was also ordered to pay £470 compensation.