AFTER stealing a rubber mallet from a bus station and used it to batter the door to a centre that helps rehabilitate addicts, a man was jailed by Isle of Wight magistrates.

Craig Sheriff, of Melville Street, Ryde, appeared for sentencing at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court by video link, from HMP Isle of Wight, last Friday (August 2).

The 38-year-old admitted multiple charges, between October 8 last year and June 6.

They are as follows:

  • Possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, in Newport, on May 13.
  • Theft by finding, namely a mallet, belonging to Southern Vectis, in Newport, on May 13.
  • Criminal damage to a door belonging to Inclusion rehabilitation centre, Newport, on May 13.
  • Criminal damage to a television, belonging to a woman, in Newport, on April 5.
  • Aggravated vehicle taking, namely a Toyota Corolla, from Brighstone, on October 8 last year.
  • Criminal damage to a mobile phone, belonging to a woman, in Newport, on April 5.
  • Criminal damage to a window and CCTV, belonging to Inclusion, Newport, on March 22.
  • Criminal damage to a window, belonging to a woman, in Newport, on April 5.
  • Shoplifting, a barbecue worth £299, belonging to Asda, Newport, on April 1.
  • Failing to provide a drink-drive specimen for analysis, at Newport Police Station, on June 6.  

Magistrates chose not to go through the offences with Liz Miller, prosecuting in court.

However, the County Press reported police were alerted to an incident in Newport, at around 6.30pm, on May 13.

At the scene, officers saw Sheriff using a rubber mallet to smash the door of the Inclusion Isle of Wight premises, on Carisbrooke Road, opposite the junction at Trafalgar Road.

Read more: Man admits using mallet to damage Isle of Wight rehab centre

For Sheriff, Oscar Vincent said his client 'acquired' the rubber mallet from Newport Bus Station, belonging to Southern Vectis, and ran away, displaying erratic behaviour, according to witnesses. 

"At the time, he was coping using crack cocaine, which led to him having drug-induced paranoia. He perceived people were out to get him, then went to Inclusion in despair — needing a place of sanctuary," said Mr Vincent.

For those offences, Sheriff appeared before Portsmouth Magistrates' Court two days later.

Mr Vincent said Sheriff was still trying to come to terms with the loss of both his brother and a friend and is now recovering from drug and alcohol addiction on a programme in prison.

Sheriff told magistrates: "It's not an excuse, but when I lost two people close to me in such a short space of time, I lost the plot. I lost my head."

Sheriff was jailed for 21 weeks and banned from driving for 29 months, with an order to pay Asda £299 compensation.