A man has been jailed after pleading guilty to theft, burglary and motor vehicle offences in Chesham.
Lee Butler, 27, of Milton Road, Chesham, pleaded guilty at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on September 16 to one count each of:
· Theft
· Driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level is above the limit
· Driving a motor vehicle dangerously
· Failing to stop a mechanically propelled vehicle when required
· Driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence
· Using a motor vehicle on a road without third party insurance
· Burglary other than dwelling
At the same hearing, he was sentenced to 9 weeks’ imprisonment, disqualified from driving until taking an extended test, disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence for 560 days and disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months.
The convictions relate to two incidents in Chesham.
On August 28, Butler stole alcohol worth £29 from Tesco Express in Broad Street.
He was charged for this on September 15.
Police said that at approximately 1.12pm on September 24, officers received a report that garages on Mount Nugent in Chesham were being broken into.
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A white Ford Transit van, which was not displaying a registration plate, was seen parked outside one of the garages with its rear doors open.
The lock to the garage had been forced.
Butler was seen removing items from the garage, including a Halfords bottle jack, a large drum, a five-litre petrol canister, a black rubber truck stop and a cement mixer.
His actions were interrupted when a member of the public filming the incident intervened.
Police said Butler then drove away with the van’s rear doors open. After failing to stop for officers, a pursuit took place along Berkhamsted Road, Nashleigh Hill and Lycrome Road.
When the pursuit ended, Butler was arrested and a roadside breath test showed he was over the prescribed alcohol limit.
Arresting officer PC Luke Davis of the Amersham Neighbourhood Team said: “Burglary is an invasive offence that can leave victims feeling unsafe in their own homes, and I understand the distress and disruption that this offending will have caused.
“Butler showed a complete disregard for the law by breaking into a property, committing theft offences and driving while under the influence.
“His actions not only impacted the victims directly affected by the burglary and theft, but also placed other road users and members of the public at risk.
“Driving under the influence is a reckless and irresponsible act.
“Every time someone gets behind the wheel while impaired, they put lives in danger and increase the risk of serious injury or death.
“Thanks to the thorough work of the investigating officers, we were able to gather the evidence needed to secure these convictions and bring offenders to the courts.”
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