A burglar who was part of a duo who smashed their way into a petrol station was given a suspended sentence because he was making a determined effort to turn his life around.

But his co-accused had made no such effort and was locked up for a total of 18 months for burglary and driving while disqualified after being told he had one of the worst records the judge had seen.

Gary Lamb, 25, of Wayfield Road, Chatham and Patrick Fenlon, 30, of Walsingham Crescent, Rainham appeared for sentence at Canterbury Crown Court having admitted burglary at Arter Brothers at Dover Road, Barham in December last year.

Fenlon further admitted driving while banned and without insurance.
CCTV recorded their car number and police stopped the vehicle a few hours later as Fenlon drove down Rochester High Street.

Both had poor records, Lamb 22 convictions for 45 offences and Fenlon 64 convictions for 131 offences of which 12 were burglaries.

Sentencing Lamb to 12 months, suspended for 18 months, Mr Recorder Andrew Popat said he took into account Lamb's health problems and that he had been suffering from depression but had shown remorse and was trying to put his career of crime behind him.

He accepted much of Lamb's record was due to drink but warned him it was his very last chance and any further offences would land him in jail for a long time.

Lamb must undertake a basic skills assessment, attend the Think First programme and on an electronically tagged curfew between 7pm and 7am for six months.

"What has impressed me is you have made a determined effort to change your lifestyle and I do not want to take away from you your chance of improvement and stopping a career of crime," said the Recorder.

Fenlon started his criminal career at 16, committing crime after crime despite being given lenient sentences and opportunities to change his ways, said Mr Recorder Popat, adding that Fenlon had made little or no effort to change his lifestyle.

"This is one of the worst records I have come across. You took the initiative who commit this burglary, borrowed a friend's car and dragged your co-defendant along with you." He said the burglary was clearly pre-planned and Fenlon had defied a court order by driving when disqualified and had not bothered to take a test before regaining his licence.

He said he hoped while in custody, Fenlon would take the opportunity to acquire some learning skills and bring his criminal career to an end.
Fenlon was banned for three years.