Drug addict jailed after admitting to Holbeach/Fleet crime spree

A drug addict who went on a mini crime spree in Holbeach and Fleet has been jailed for 21 months today.

Jake Boyton (28), of Bourne Road, Spalding, targeted two fish and chip shops and a garage within an hour, stealing cigarettes and charity boxes.

During a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court, Philip Plant, prosecuting, said that Boyton, together with an accomplice who has not been identified, first unsuccessfully tried to kick in the front door of Central Fish Bar, in High Street, Holbeach, on August 21.

Just minutes later Boyton forced open the front door of the Holbeach Fish Bar, in Fleet Street, Holbeach, causing a substantial amount of damage.

But he left without taking anything from the premises and moved on to the nearby Fleet Road Garage.

Mr Plant said that a car was driven at the front door of the building before Boyton and his accomplice went inside where they stole a quantity of cigarettes and four charity boxes before making off.

"The doors were driven into and a substantial amount of damage was caused to the front of the shop," Mr Plant said.

"There was CCTV showing two burglars and one was identified by a police officer as being this defendant."

Boyton admitted breaking into Holbeach Fish Bar and Fleet Road Garage, along with an attempted burglary of the Central Fish Bar.

He also admitted going equipped after he was found with a pair of bolt croppers two days later when a car in which he was a passenger was stopped by police.

Edna Leonard, mitigating, said her client had been struggling with a drug addiction for the last decade and knew that "he has got to sort his life out".

Miss Leonard said: "Boyton was on crack cocaine and, latterly, on amphetamine.

"He has tried his very best to rid himself of that and he had a drug rehabilitation order which he found of great assistance.

"Mr Boyton managed to stay clean when that was in place but when it came to an end and he didn't have the support, he fell off the wagon."