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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| 'Most wanted' burglar sentenced | 'Most wanted' burglar sentenced |
| (4 days later) | |
| A burglar who was wanted by police over thousands of break-ins across London has been jailed for seven years. | A burglar who was wanted by police over thousands of break-ins across London has been jailed for seven years. |
| Drug addict Norman Sinclair, 46, who was on Scotland Yard's most wanted list, pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court to 13 burglaries. | Drug addict Norman Sinclair, 46, who was on Scotland Yard's most wanted list, pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court to 13 burglaries. |
| He had asked that a further 2,646 break-ins be taken into consideration. | He had asked that a further 2,646 break-ins be taken into consideration. |
| But Sinclair, of no fixed address, withdrew the admission as he said he had forgotten which he had committed due to his "chaotic lifestyle". | But Sinclair, of no fixed address, withdrew the admission as he said he had forgotten which he had committed due to his "chaotic lifestyle". |
| Judge Nic Madge told Sinclair he was a "predator" as he jailed him for six years for the 13 burglaries committed on an eight year crime spree between December 1997 and March this year. | Judge Nic Madge told Sinclair he was a "predator" as he jailed him for six years for the 13 burglaries committed on an eight year crime spree between December 1997 and March this year. |
| Born-again Christian | Born-again Christian |
| He was also sentenced to a further 12 months for trying to leave the country at Dover using a false passport. | He was also sentenced to a further 12 months for trying to leave the country at Dover using a false passport. |
| The born-again Christian told officials he was on his way to Jerusalem...to help him lead a life "more in line with his Christian faith", away from his life of drugs, burglary and use of prostitutes, said Nathan Palmer, defending. | The born-again Christian told officials he was on his way to Jerusalem...to help him lead a life "more in line with his Christian faith", away from his life of drugs, burglary and use of prostitutes, said Nathan Palmer, defending. |
| Sinclair is thought to have stolen millions of pounds worth jewellery, cash and credit cards to fund a £1,000-a-day crack habit. | Sinclair is thought to have stolen millions of pounds worth jewellery, cash and credit cards to fund a £1,000-a-day crack habit. |
| I am satisfied that you are a skilled and professional burglar Judge Nic Madge | I am satisfied that you are a skilled and professional burglar Judge Nic Madge |
| The court heard he also pawned his loot and made donations to charity including Homerton Hospital in east London. | The court heard he also pawned his loot and made donations to charity including Homerton Hospital in east London. |
| The judge revealed that Sinclair had picked up 20 previous convictions in 18 courts for 40 offences, 21 of which were for burglary and mostly at residential properties. | The judge revealed that Sinclair had picked up 20 previous convictions in 18 courts for 40 offences, 21 of which were for burglary and mostly at residential properties. |
| He said: "It appears that you have been a persistent burglar for the last 30 years. | He said: "It appears that you have been a persistent burglar for the last 30 years. |
| "I am satisfied that you are a skilled and professional burglar." | "I am satisfied that you are a skilled and professional burglar." |
| He continued: "You have, to use the words of the Court of Appeal, behaved as a predator preying on your fellow citizens." | He continued: "You have, to use the words of the Court of Appeal, behaved as a predator preying on your fellow citizens." |