A HOUSEBREAKER who appealed against his sentence had it changed
yesterday, from two years to three.
He tried at the beginning of the hearing to abandon the appeal, but
three Judges refused, then increased the jail term.
Martin West, 25, had been jailed for two years at Glasgow Sheriff
Court after he admitted seven charges of housebreaking and committing
break-ins with intent to steal.
He appeared at the Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday to conduct his
own case, but began by asking Lords Allanbridge, Kincraig, and Brand for
permission to abandon his appeal against sentence.
The court turned him down, then proceeded to increase the two years to
three.
Lord Allanbridge said: ''When he came into court he asked leave to
abandon. That leave was not granted because we have already looked at
the papers (in the case).''
About #10,000 worth of property had been stolen in the series of
housebreakings in Glasgow between April and August last year. Nothing
had been recovered.
The Judge said West, described as a prisoner in Barlinnie, had an
appalling record.
Lord Allanbridge added: ''It has been made clear in this court time
after time that those who repeatedly commit thefts and thefts by
housebreaking will receive severe punishment.''
The public had to be protected from criminals who repeatedly committed
offences of this kind and the court had decided to quash the sentence of
two years, substituting one of three years instead.
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