Kendal burglar spared jailed to attend family funeral - but judge warns custody is still likely (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kendal burglar spared jailed to attend family funeral - but judge warns custody is still likely

9:24am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News

A KENDAL burglar was spared prison this week – so he could go to his stepfather’s funeral.

Anthony Grogan, 32, pleaded guilty at Carlisle Crown Court on Monday to stealing three mobile phones in a burglary at a house in Burneside, Kendal, on Christmas Day.

Judge Paul Batty QC said he intended to remand him in custody until Friday when he will face what he described as an 'inevitable' prison sentence. But after hearing that he wanted to attend the funeral in Lancaster that afternoon he allowed him bail instead.

Grogan, who had 32 previous convictions, will now be free a little longer – but only on condition that he abides by an electronically tagged curfew to keep him indoors at his home in High Ridge, Kendal, from 6pm every night.

Judge Batty warned him that his being allowed bail did not mean he would not be sent to prison. “Given your background and the nature of the offence it is very difficult to see what sentence couild follow other than one of custody," he said.