Man avoids jail after thefts from churches (From Gazette & Herald)

Man avoids jail after thefts from churches

A THIEF who stole charity money from six churches across North Yorkshire has narrowly escaped a jail term.

Stephen Wallace, 42, of Orchard Park Estate, Hull, was given 100 hours community punishment and a 12-month rehabilitation order by Scarborough magistrates.

He was also disqualified from driving for a year, ordered to pay £155 in compensation and £50 costs.

Bespectacled Wallace admitted two counts of burglary relating to the theft of £40 from the vestry at All Saints' Church, Helmsley, on May 17 and stealing a staff tip box containing £420 from The Blacksmiths Arms, Rosedale, on May 12.

Wallace also admitted stealing £8 from All Saints' Church, Helmsley, on May 8, possession of cannabis, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.

Five other thefts were also taken into consideration.

They were at: St Chad's Church, Sproxton, on May 9; St Felix's Church, Felixkirk, on May 14; St Gregory's Minster, Kirkdale, on May 15; St Hedda's Church, Whitby, on May 18; and St Mary's Church, Goathland, on May 19.

Rosie McIlroy, prosecuting, said on May 17 police had received reports that Wallace had been acting suspiciously and details of his vehicle were circulated.

Mrs McIlroy said Helmsley community beat officer PC Ray Thwaites saw Wallace in his car, and then watched him enter All Saints' Church.

On exiting, PC Thwaites found Wallace to be in possession of Christian Aid envelopes containing cash.

He subsequently admitted further offences - five other thefts from churches and the pub burglary.

Ben Hibbert, for Wallace, said: "Whilst being mean in nature in respect of being offences against churches, these are not in particular high in value - most are less than £10."

Mr Hibbert said his client, who had hitch-hiked from Hull to get to court, was put into care when he was ten because he had suffered at the hands of a violent father.

Wallace had spent 25 years of his life in prison, said Mr Hibbert, and was institutionalised and unable to cope with normal daily tasks like paying bills. Wallace had also just split from his wife and lost his job.

Speaking outside court, PC Thwaites said: "I think had he not been so co-operative with the police, he would have received a custodial sentence."

Updated: 11:19 Wednesday, June 30, 2004