A man with “the worst record you will ever see,” according to his lawyer, was jailed again after being caught many times attempting to steal from a restaurant.
Andrew Davies, 43, may have the longest criminal record in Wales, with a “appalling” and “atrocious record” of 517 previous offenses.
The serial thief, who became hooked to heroin as a child, has spent the majority of his life in and out of jail.
His efforts to steal wine from The Dock in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, occurred just a month after he narrowly avoided prison for earlier thefts.
Prosecutor Nicholas Evans told Cardiff Magistrates’ Court that at 6.30pm on October 25, a “strange-looking” guy was seen coming down a flight of stairs in The Dock with bottles under his jacket.
A restaurant employee was alerted after a member of the public witnessed the robber. Davies was seen on CCTV taking three £30 bottles of vodka from behind the bar.
He returned to the crime scene three days later, but not before stealing some garments. On October 25, he broke into JD Sports on Queen Street and stole five Under Armour coats valued £225. The next day, he returned with four Fred Perry t-shirts worth £300.
On October 28, he crept inside The Dock’s staff room but fled when confronted by a worker. He tried to enter the staff room again a few minutes later but was stopped. Davies then proceeded to Sports Direct in Cardiff Bay Retail Park and took three Liverpool FC jackets worth £195 in total.
Davies, of Butetown, admitted in court to burglary, attempted burglary, and three counts of stealing.
He has 517 offenses on his record, 355 of them are related to dishonesty.
“I am the first to admit he has an atrocious record,” his lawyer, Oliver Jenkins, said. He may have the worst track record you’ve ever seen.
“He recognizes that his record is appalling and cannot be excused.” His life has been ruined by addiction, and he has been a heroin addict since boyhood.”
His lawyer went on to say that Davies’ sister Nicola died of lung cancer and that his client’s behavior was exacerbated by the fact that her burial is on Friday, Nov. 3.
“Unfortunately, the loss of his sister triggered a relapse, and all of these offenses occurred within three days of that.” “She was his last remaining family member,” he contended.
He inquired as to what immediate custody “would accomplish.”
The hearing was rescheduled for later in the day to allow for an update from a substance abuse specialist, who, it is understood, did not offer a good assessment of Davies’ participation with programs.
Presiding Justice Clare Byrne sentenced the offender to ten months in prison and ordered him to pay a victim services surcharge of £154 upon his release.
