A REDDITCH man who went on an “offending spree” throughout January this year, has been sent to prison for two years.
Matthew Humphries, of Robinson Mews, Church Hill, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (April 8) charged with six offences, including a breach of a suspended sentence, breach of a restraining order, using threatening behaviour to cause harassment, causing criminal damage, possession of a knife and arson.
Prosecuting, Kevin Grego, said: “The first offence was on January 3 when police received a call at 2am from Humphries saying he saw someone walking through Abbeydale carrying a knife. The police turned up, spoke to him and suspected that he had reported himself.
“Due to his behaviour, they searched him and found a black handled kitchen knife in the pocket of his coat. He was then arrested and bailed. When interviewed he said he had no reason for carrying the knife.”
A few days later, on January 7, the 20-year-old breached a restraining order when he was seen walking past a house he was not allowed to go within 50 metres of. He then visited his mother’s address on January 17 to collect his belongings which he found wet outside. He went on to damage the front and made threats, court heard.
“He knocked the door and damaged it. When arrested and was put in a cell he lit a fire to the door,” said Mr Grego.
Humphries had breached a 12 month sentence suspended for 18 months which was imposed last year after he put a wheelie bin in the road to stop a motorcyclist, causing him to crash.
Defending, Barrister Julia Powell: “It is a relative pattern of offending in a short amount of time. After a relationship break down, he went on an offending spree.
“He was prescribed medication for depression. The breach of the restraining order happened because he was worried about his 17-year-old brother and was looking for him. Her house was on the route and he just happened to be walking past.
“I hope in due course things can move forward for him.”
Recorder, Adrian Feest QC, said: “In the last year and a half you have accumulated a long record. If it carries on you will spend most of your life in prison. You are still only 20-years-old.”
For the breach of a suspended sentence, possession of a bladed article and the breach of a restraining order Humphries will serve a total of 24 months in jail.
For the rest of the offences, Humphries received two months for criminal damage, three months for arson and two months for harassment, all to run concurrently.
