A homeless man who stole dummies from infants’ mouths did so to “soothe himself”, a courtroom heard.
Josh Guilder, 23, was jailed for 14 months for taking soothers from 5 children round Harlow in Essex between February 10 and August 7 final 12 months. He would then sit in a tent and use the soothers himself, the courtroom was advised.
An earlier listening to was advised Guilder had “never been weaned from dummies” and had been residing in a tent. His representatives advised the courtroom he would “soothe himself” with the gadgets.
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(Image: Essex Police)
Mary Buxton, defending, advised the courtroom Guilder would “use a dummy to soothe himself”. She mentioned: “He said he would take the dummy, then go and sit in the tent and use the dummy.” The thefts had been described as “purely acquisitive”.
Essex Police confirmed Guilder had been convicted of 5 counts of theft, three counts of widespread assault and a public order offence at an earlier listening to final 12 months. One of the kids concerned was assaulted, the pressure added.
Guilder was arrested on August 15 following a police attraction. The 23-year-old was convicted at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on November 20, 2023.
(Image: Essex Police)
He was sentenced to 14 months behind bars at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday (February 2).
Chief Inspector Paul Austin, District Commander for Harlow, mentioned: “I know these incidents caused concern in our community and I’m pleased we’ve been able to identify the person responsible and hold him accountable.
“It can by no means be acceptable that individuals in Harlow really feel involved about going about their every day lives or with their kids and my officers have labored arduous to get this outcome.”
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