NORTH TYNESIDE BURGLAR WITH OVER 150 OFFENCES INCLUDING SEXUALLY ABUSING A 12 YEAR OLD GIRL IS JAILED
A serial burglar who caused distress to numerous small businesses has been sentenced to imprisonment after breaking the terms of three suspended sentences with his recent criminal activities.Kevin Thoburn, aged 44, was involved in smashing windows and stealing from five different small independent businesses in Monkseaton, North Tyneside, in June, where he stole hundreds of pounds including cash from a charity jar, as reported in the court.
Thoburn, who has a criminal record with over 150 offences and was previously jailed for eight years for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison after admitting to multiple burglaries.
On the night of June 2, he broke into two delis, a fish and chip shop, a barber business, and a bakery, causing extensive damage and stealing approximately £1,700 in cash, including amounts from a tip jar and a charity box.
The businesses suffered emotional and financial impacts due to the damages and closures needed for repairs.
Thoburn was also subject to three suspended prison sentences issued by different courts for burglaries carried out earlier, including raids on a beauty salon, butcher shop, pottery studio, and barber shops in Gateshead, involving thefts totaling £2,250.
Additionally, he had used violence to smash his way into Greggs at the Viking Centre in Jarrow and an additional cafe in South Shields.
The court heard that Thoburn had failed to register as a sex offender as required, as he was a homeless convicted child abuser who had been jailed for engaging in sexual activity with a child, and was subject to an indefinite registration order since 2016.
Judge Amanda Rippon noted that Thoburn had 70 recorded burglaries and had requested that an additional 30 be considered, reflecting over 100 business raids.
She emphasized the significant and long-lasting misery caused to the victims and acknowledged Thoburn’s past drug addiction and childhood abuse as underlying factors, but highlighted that he had made a conscious choice to continue his offending despite opportunities for assistance.
