AN OPPORTUNISTIC burglar who stole from his former boss walked free from court because he was altered by the "traumatic experience" of seeing his baby daughter fighting for life, a court heard.
John Simmons, 29, had gone to Carl Sansom's home in Perry Street, west Hull, on January 5, looking for work.
But finding him out, he decided to break in through the kitchen door and burgled the property, knowing where valuable possessions were after visiting before for team meetings.
Simmons stole a gold neck chain worth £280, 30 euros from a cash box, £400 from a sweet jar and a Credit Suisse gents dress watch worth £150.
Five days later he pawned the watch at a Cash Converters shop in Spring Bank, Hull, for £30.
Simmons, of First Lane, Hessle, used his own identification documents when pawning the watch and his blood was also found on the sink at Mr Sansom's home.
He had 25 convictions for 61 offences and admitted burglary and fraud by false representation.
Hull Crown Court heard Simmons, who had a "poor record" for offences of dishonesty, stole to fund his "long-standing" drug habit.
But Recorder Jonathan Carroll, who deferred sentencing until yesterday, said although Simmons' crimes had crossed the custody threshold, he was prepared to give him another chance because of what he had gone through with his daughter.
Referring to his previous appearance in the dock in March, the judge said: "Your girlfriend was then pregnant and antenatal checks showed there were going to be profound difficulties at the early stage of life, so profound it may lead to your then unborn child not surviving.
"The traumatic experience of seeing your child born and fighting for life, spending time at the hospital seeing your own child and other children, each fighting their own battles, played a significant role in you seeing your own life for what it is – at that point a mess and one completely of your own making.
"But the sight of those children has made you think that your drug addiction must be confronted.
"It's the type of addiction that's life-long, and it is a long road to recovery, but what is clear is that you've positively engaged and you are on that road to recovery."
Recorder Carroll also noted that Simmons was in full-time work supporting his family.
He told him: "I'm giving you a chance. So far you have taken that chance and tried to make something of it.
"But it's still a chance and it's going to be hanging over your head for an extended period of time.
"The sentence of imprisonment is one of 18 months, suspended for two years."
Simmons was also ordered to pay £300 compensation at £10 a week.
