Crook's fitness ambition (From Gazette Series)

Crook's fitness ambition

A 22-YEAR-OLD Cam crook who was sentenced to 11 months imprisonment last Thursday for attempted theft, hopes to make a new life as a fitness instructor when he comes out, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

Brett Ireson, of Draycott, had been arrested on a Bench warrant after failing to appear in front of the court on January 5.

Once police caught up with him, Ireson pleaded guilty going equipped for theft, attempted theft and possesion of herbal cannabis.

He was accused with three other men of going equipped for burglary on September 22 last year.

Prosecutor Ian Halliday explained that Ireson and one of his co-accused David Jakubowski, 20, were seen getting out of Subaru Impreza, and caught trying to cut a winching cable from a nearby jeep, with a pair of bolt croppers. Witnesses who saw what they were doing rang the police.

Mark Bryce, 22, and driver Jason Danter, 32, both of Gloucester, stayed in the car.

Police discovered that the winching cable on the truck had been partially cut and all four men were arrested.

A police search of the car found masks, crowbars, bolt cutters, and screwdrivers.

Mr Halliday said that Ireson had a string of offences to his name including burglaries, weapons and drugs offences and had already spent time in custody. Both Bryce and Danter are now serving 12-month sentences for going equipped and attempted theft.

Jakubowski was jailed for 12 months in February for going equipped for theft. Lynne Matthews, defending, said that Ireson had become something of a leader while in prison and had nurtured others who were too weak to stand up for themselves.

"He looks forward to life as a professional personal trainer," Ms Matthews said. Judge Jamie Tabor QC told Ireson: "On that night you and your friends were up to no good, and if you had not been intercepted you would have been up to a lot more.

"You are a personable young man and I suspect that you are intelligent. I know that you can make more of your life."