Attempt to enter and steal from Christchurch flat results in jail term for David Gray

ATTEMPTING to enter a Christchurch flat to steal landed a man with 12 weeks behind bars.

David Gray (42), who was listed as being both of no fixed abode in the town and of Brighton Road, Lewes, East Sussex, was sentenced at Poole Magistrates’ Court.

Gray had previously denied committing the offence on Hunt Road on 29th June 2024, but was found guilty in his absence at an earlier hearing.

Two other charges previously denied and then proved in his absence included damaging a window valued at £209 belonging to Sovereign Housing on Hunt Road on 28th June 2024.

The other was using threatening, abusive or insulting words or disorderly behaviour against a police officer on the A35 at Christchurch the same day.

Gray also admitted having joined three unknown accomplices in stealing shopping baskets loaded with £500 of various meats from Ferndene Farm Shop in New Milton on 1st July 2024.

Jailing him, a deputy district judge ruled his offending was so serious that only custody was justified, and cited his flagrant disregard for people and their property.

Gray was ordered to pay £500 compensation for the broken window, along with £125 sums for the harassment and shoplifting offences.