Burglar stole keys and drove off in church leader's car

Craig Barr trespassed in the St Clement’s Vicarage in St Clement’s Road on the morning of June 8 with socks on his hands.

He snatched the keys and tights, which he had no use for, before making off in curate Tom Hodkinson’s grey Ford car.

Police soon caught up with him and attempted to detain the offender but the 41-year-old suffered a medical episode and required cardiopulmonary resuscitation before being rushed to hospital.

Prosecuting, Stuart Ellacott said Mr Hodkinson returned home in his car and left his car key on a table inside the vicarage on the night of June 7.

The following morning, he woke up to the sound of his dog barking.

“He was awoken and speaking to his wife and young daughter when he heard the sound of a car revving loudly on the drive,” said Mr Ellacott. “He looked out the window and saw his car move off the driveway.”

Mr Ellacott said the victim called police and officers located the car a short time later.

The defendant pulled over but he was obstructive and refused to get out.

He tried to turn the car’s engine back on and did so with such force that the key snapped off in the ignition.

“He was subject to PAVA spray,” said Mr Ellacott. “He began to climb out. Two female officers had the task of holding onto him while he was half in half out.”

During this struggle, Barr had a medical episode and officers applied cardiopulmonary resuscitation to him before he was taken to hospital, the court heard.

He received treatment and was taken into custody.

Mitigating, Megan McGhee said Barr had taken steps to address his issues, including a drug addiction.

She said the burglary, which saw the defendant gain entry through the rear of the vicarage, was “very unsophisticated” and spontaneous.

“He took no caution as he approached the property,” said Ms McGhee. “The incident lasts, probably, around three minutes.

“He didn’t use any violence or target the property.”

The barrister said her client was “very clear” that previous burglaries he committed were through financial motivation and his most recent crime was different.

A situation in his personal life triggered his post-traumatic stress disorder and medication he thought he would help his condition made the situation worse, the court heard.

Barr, of Grosvenor Gardens, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, aggravated vehicle taking and using a motor vehicle without insurance.

Recorder Alexia Power jailed the defendant for 32 months and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.