Anthony Maughan was due to be sentenced for a spree of burglaries of cafes, restaurants, and shops across Wales, but the judge said he was not prepared to pass sentence without knowing his true age
A judge ordered a defendant to appear in court and enter the witness box to give sworn testimony about his actual date of birth. Anthony Maughan was scheduled to be sentenced for a string of break-ins at cafés, restaurants, and shops throughout Swansea, Neath, Bridgend and Cardiff, but the judge declared he wasn’t willing to sentence a “persistent offender” with 26 different birth dates on his criminal record without establishing his real age.
The judge postponed the hearing and directed that Maughan, who had been appearing via videolink, be brought to court physically so he could take the witness stand.
Matthew Comer, prosecuting, informed Swansea Crown Court that during an 18-day period in January and February this year Maughan broke into 10 commercial premises, including the Giggling Squid restaurant, a Tesco Express store, Castle Welsh Crafts shop, Total Asia restaurant, and Cote Brasserie – all in Cardiff – Costa Coffee in Bridgend, Kumar Stores in Neath, and an Aldi supermarket, Fresco Café, and Green Room restaurant all in Swansea.
The barrister explained that during the same timeframe Maughan also carried out theft from a vehicle, an incident which involved him climbing into a lorry’s cab while the driver was making a delivery in Cardiff, reports Wales Online.
The court was told that several break-ins involved the defendant accessing staff-only areas while the businesses were trading, though on numerous occasions he had forced his way into premises through back doors or fire exits when they were shut. Maughan was identified from CCTV footage for each of the 10 burglaries.
Among the loot nicked by Maughan during his crime spree were bank cards, North Face jackets, keys, iPhones, meats and cheeses, bottles of Johnnie Walker whisky, Smirnoff vodka, and champagne, and a pair of fresh Adidas trainers.
He also swiped various amounts of cash.
Anthony Paul Maughan, of no fixed address, had previously admitted to 10 counts of non-dwelling burglary and one count of theft from a vehicle when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.
Judge Huw Rees noted that, upon reviewing the defendant’s previous record, it was evident he was a “persistent offender” and he pointed out that over the years he had given 26 different dates of birth.
He stated he was not willing to pass sentence until the accurate date of birth was confirmed, and he instructed the prosecution to conduct its own investigations.
And he informed the defendant that he would need to attend court in person and swear under oath his true date of birth.
Sentencing was postponed to April 29 and Maughan was further remanded into custody.