Prolific thief back in prison after night-time raid on cars

Clint Ridley, 40, admitted a total of 16 offences. They included three of attempting to steal, and six of stealing from unlocked cars at night. The court heard how he committed the offences shortly after being released from a six-month prison term imposed for similar offending.

All bar one of the offences were committed during the same night at various locations and items stolen included a watch worth £1,583, which had been returned to its owner, a total of £786 in cash, prescription medication, and a bottle of aftershave worth £80.

He was identified after police received multiple reports of vehicles being entered. Clothing that he was seen wearing on CCTV when he left his then home at St Sampson’s, matched that of the reported offender, and further CCTV which was recovered from some of the crime scenes.

At the time he was on bail for five drugs offences that were committed a month before – just 11 days after his release from prison. Ridley was seen walking in Vale Road, St Sampson’s, at 1.15am by a police officer who stopped him for a search. Two types of class B drugs, including amphetamine, and two types of class C drugs were found in his possession. Herbal cannabis was discovered in his flat in the search that followed.

The class C substance gabapentin was found in his flat in a later search that followed the thefts.

Ridley was due to appear in court on 2 January but he failed to turn up. He was arrested later and had been held in custody ever since.

Defending, Advocate Amy Davies said the thefts from the vehicles had been unsophisticated and no damage had been caused. Her client suffered back and mental health issues and had been struggling at the time. He had been self-medicating with drugs. She said he had been looking for prescription medication though he did not have a prescription. He was ashamed of his actions and was now drug-free. His failure to attend court in January had simply been a mistake.

Judge Gary Perry said the defendant had an appalling record with multiple offences for burglary, theft and dishonesty.

‘You are one of the island’s most prolific thieves who the public needs to be protected from,’ he said.

‘You have shown time and time again that you cannot stop your criminal activity.’

Ridley was jailed for 12 months concurrent for each of the car-related matters. A further three months, to be served on top of the 12 months, was imposed for the bail breach by his failure to attend court.

He was jailed for six months for possessing amphetamine and two months concurrent for each of the other drug matters, taking the total sentence to 21 months.