HK the iPad Stealer (Part 1)

Court Report: 20th August 2020 @ Snaresbrook Crown Court

Today we have 19-year-old Mr HK who has been produced before His Honour Judge K Inyundo in Court 17 for sentencing. 

There are several indictments to be sorted out in this hearing mainly relating to thefts from bags and coats that have been left unguarded in pubs over several occasions.

We are told a number of these offences were committed whilst the defendant was serving suspended sentences for similar crimes and potentially faces “a serious prison sentence”.

What makes this hearing unusual is that the defendant is unrepresented and addresses the court directly from the dock.  He tells the court that he has applied for legal aid to obtain representation on four occasions but “the court never got back to him”.

The court is told the defendant is due in two separate Magistrates’ courts for similar offences over the coming couple of weeks.

The defendant reads to the court a prepared statement where he explains that he has come off drugs whilst in prison and now wishes to “fix up his life”.  He has found the proceedings “very stressful” as he was told he would be dealt with in July but “wasn’t collected”. 

One ponders whether it was an honest request for leniency from a remorseful and reformed citizen or a manipulative attempt to evade justice by an unrepentant drug user?  Thankfully, that is not a question I have to answer.

In considering how to proceed the Judge describes the defendant’s reading of the letter as “very articulate” and explains there is some details that will be important for the court to consider when passing sentence.  The result of the cases that are at pending at the magistrates’ court should also be taken into consideration.

The judge explains that “all the information should be before the court” and the court rules that the sentencing should be adjourned to allow the defendant to get representation.  The judge explains the court will write to the solicitors that are acting for him in the Magistrates in order that they can provide their services here.

All in all, I felt the Judge went to great lengths in ensuring that the treatment of HK could not ultimately be described as unfair.  I’m interested in how this one will turn out and so will keep half an eye out for this name to reappear on the cause list.  Watch this space.