Man steals phone from Esso garage and spits at policemen during drug-fuelled crime spree

A criminal who armed himself with a metal bar before stealing a £500 phone at a petrol station has been jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Ryan Cartner, 33 has been jailed for 12 months.

On the same day he broke into a garage and stole £300 worth of gardening equipment while under the influence of drugs, the court has heard.

While in custody he spat at two police officers, as reported by our sister title, the Stoke Sentinel.

Prosecutor Jonathon Dickinson explained that Cartner targeted the Esso Service Station in Holditch, Newcastle on Sunday, February 19 at 6.20pm.

He added: “The defendant entered the Subway section of the station holding a metal bar and asked to exchange £3.50 change from a £5 note.

“He then went into the kitchen area and stole a mobile phone worth £500 and a temperature probe.

“Later a burglary took place in Liverpool Road while the occupants were away. Entrance was gained through the garage.

“The defendant stole an air compressor, jet washer and an extendable brush coming to £300. The defendant also stole a wheelie bin to place the items in.”

The court were told that all taken items had been recovered, including the phone which was found at the defendant’s home at London Road in Chesterton, during a search.

Mr Dickinson added: “At the police station the defendant was very aggressive during a strip search, spitting at the police constable which hit him on the side of the face.

“The following day he was aggressive again whilst he was being taken to his cell. As the officer left his cell the defendant lent up and spat at him and said ‘got you’. It landed on his right trouser leg.

“The defendant has 34 previous court appearances for 121 offences dating back to 1998.”

Cartner pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary and two accounts of assaulting a police constable while in the line of duty.

Paul Cliff, mitigating said: “Starting with the dwelling burglary the items were of a moderate value with the property being recovered very soon. In relation to the Esso burglary, it is basic in its nature.

“In terms of what happened to the police officers, it is plainly unpleasant and he is sorry for that but no physical harm was caused.

“He has had alcohol and illegal drug problems over the years and he has had problems with mental health but he has made strident steps to address his addiction.”

Judge Paul Glenn said during the sentencing that: “You have recently turned 33 and have been offending since the age of 13.

“The best mitigation you have in this case is pleading guilty at the first opportunity. These offences happened quite soon after a release from prison.

“One of the things you have in your favour is the people with you in court. You have a child, a partner and a mother.

“It seems as if you have been trying very hard in relation to drugs and that’s something I don’t underestimate.

“In the dwelling burglary there was no danger of confrontation and there was no evidence that you tried to go anywhere but the garage.

“The burglary at the service station was mean and it was clear you were off your head on drugs. The assaults were unpleasant.”