Restaurant raider jailed for 12 weeks (From York Press)

Bradley Bell jailed for theft at York restaurant

8:35am Friday 18th January 2013 in News By Megi Rychlikova, megi.rychlikova@thepress.co.uk

A burglar who targeted a city centre restaurant has been jailed for 12 weeks – at his own request.

Bradley Bell, 42, sneaked into the staff accommodation at Il Paradiso del Cibo on Walmgate, York, during opening hours, York magistrates heard.

He walked out with a handbag on Saturday and got away. But his actions were caught on CCTV and police recognised him as they have had repeated dealings with him over many years.

Four days after the raid, Bell, no fixed address, appeared in custody before York magistrates and pleaded guilty to burglary.

His solicitor John Howard said: “He feels at the present time only one sentence can be given. He accepts it will be a custodial sentence today.”

Magistrates passed a 12-week prison sentence.

Mr Howard said Bell was homeless because his relationship with his girlfriend had broken down and that had caused him to lose his accommodation.

He had known the proprietor of the Italian restaurant for 15 years and was in the habit of helping out in the restaurant.

When he found himself on the streets and in financial difficulties, he went to the restaurant to see if he could get some help in his situation.

But the proprietor was not there. Bell could be seen on the CCTV going in and out looking for someone.

Eventually, on the spur of the moment, he went into the staff accommodation and stole the handbag because he needed money, the court heard.

He had no previous convictions for burglary.

Magistrates said he had deliberately targeted the restaurant and had to some degree planned the burglary. The offence was worse because the owner of the handbag had been on the premises at the time.