James Gamble, of Benwell, has been jailed after causing £2,000 of damage to the city centre Newcastle United Football Club shop
A drug addict was caught on camera trying to smash his way into the Newcastle United club shop using the base of a parasol and a piece of wood. James Gamble caused £2,000 of damage to a window of the the city centre store in his doomed attempt to force entry.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the attack happened before the St James' Park shop had opened on the morning of August 17 this year. Crack addict Gamble, who has tried and failed to kick his habit and has 235 previous convictions, has now been jailed.
Sentencing him, Judge Julie Clemitson said: "Outside of office hours, you attacked a front window at the Newcastle United Football Club shop, causing damage to the window of about £2,000 without gaining access.
"Your activity was caught on CCTV and you, no doubt, were easily recognised by law enforcement officers who saw that CCTV."
Gamble, 52, of Ellesmere Road, Benwell, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and also admitted separate charges of possessing three wraps of crack cocaine when he was stopped and searched by police on Glebe Street, Benwell. He was also in breach of a community order and suspended sentence. He was jailed for a total of 18 months.
James Gamble, jailed for attempted burglary of the Newcastle United club shop
James Gamble, jailed for attempted burglary of the Newcastle United club shop
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Judge Clemitson said Gamble has "extremely difficult personal circumstances" and added: "His attempts to address his addiction have been utterly futile.
"He is probably unable rather than unwilling, but there's absolutely no progress whatsoever in relation to his drug rehabilitation requirement."
Addressing Gamble, she added: "You were caught in a vicious circle, in accommodation where you were unable to escape the drug misuse going on around you and the violence perpetuated on your and your home."
James Gamble trying to smash his way into the Newcastle United club shop
James Gamble trying to smash his way into the Newcastle United club shop
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Lucy Todd, defending, said: "The attempted burglary was committed on impulse. He had found himself associating with negative peers once again. He has led an erratic lifestyle." She added that he has been engaging with a substance misuse team while in prison.