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Wednesday 27 January 2021

Newcastle Vandal Wins Prize for "Stupid Offence of the Week"

A Newcastle man won first prize for "stupid offence of the week" by smashing a hole in the local police station door and then phoning to report his actions.

Paul Corburn, 36, of Haggerston Crescent, Newcastle, admitted a charge of criminal damage when he appeared in custody at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 26th January 2021.

Rehana Haque, prosecuting, outlined the circumstances of the offence, which took place at Etal Lane Police Station at around 4.30 pm on Sunday, 24th January 2021.

Corburn and his mother were having an argument at the property they share, just across the road from the police station. Cockburn then left the house and stormed over to the police station, which was closed to the public at the time.

"The defendant used a broken cricket wicket to smash a window," said Mrs Haque.

"He then contacted police to say he had caused the damage to the window.

"An officer was on patrol and attends the address of the defendant and speaks to the defendant's mother.

"She said 'I know why you're here, but Paul isn't here'."

The police arrested Corburn at an address in Sunderland later that evening.

Michael Crowe, mitigating, told Magistrates: "The offence that comes before you today is probably the winner of the most stupid offence of the week award by some distance.

"He lives over the road from Etal Lane Police Station and had a petty argument with his mother and walked over the road to the police station, which was shut, and damaged the window.

"He was always going to be apprehended. To make sure there was no difficulty with getting apprehended, he rang the police.

"That was to his credit as it saved the police a lot of time and trouble.

"He's spent a colossal amount of time in custody since his arrest on Sunday."

Magistrates heard that Corburn has convictions for 17 previous offences, including one of criminal damage in February 2020.

Taking into account Corburn's financial circumstances, they decided to make a compensation order in the sum of £250.

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