‘Brilliant’ reason Birmingham burglar wants to stay in jail

A 56-year-old serial thief gave a “heartbreaking” reason why he is content to stay in prison, a court heard. Nicholas Doughty of Lysander Way in Castle Vale admitted six counts of theft, including one to a house and five to “no dwelling” properties.

He was due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court earlier today, Friday 14 June. But before the prosecution could provide more details about the case, his lawyer Joseph Keating suggested it might be worth having the probation service assess his client first.

He said: “We’re talking about someone who is 56 years old and someone who has had an addiction problem with both heroin and crack cocaine for over 30 years. Some judges might scoff and say what he’s done is enough, but this time in the last five. Monday (in custody) was without heroin.

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“He still has a hard time with crack, but he tells me that heroin is by far the hardest to withdraw and detox. He knew he couldn’t do both and planned to do one and then the other.”

Mr Keating said Doughty was “refreshingly realistic” about his likely sentence and continued: “At the age of 56, he does not find his time in prison so unpleasant. He gets food, a roof over his head, and a methadone script.

“It’s clear he’s getting help. It’s almost heartbreaking that when I challenged him about the prospect of more jail time, he stated that at least he wouldn’t be hungry and that he would get help.”

The attorney added that Doughty was willing to comply with the probation evaluation. Recorder Richard Oakes agreed to adjourn the case for a pre-sentence report but said: “He is not giving an indication of sentence, all options remain on the table, including immediate custody at the next opportunity.” Doughty was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on July 29.