One-man Wolverhampton crime spree avoids jail despite breaking conditions of previous community order

Despite failing to meet the conditions of a previous community order, completing less five of the 40 rehabilitation days ordered and breaking a curfew, Rowe was given another chance at freedom at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday.

Rowe, 26, of Renton Road, Wolverhampton, was listed for a trial but pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage during a one day crime spree in October 2022 which saw him attack his ex-partner, assaulting a man and smashing up a police car.

The court heard a witness saw Rowe once running down a road with a bat and smashing cars for no reason and he also damaged a police car. Rowe has previous convictions for shoplifting, assault, attacking an emergency worker and criminal damage.

In mitigation, the court heard Rowe is suffering from PTSD due to being held on remand last year ahead of a trial which he was found not guilty.

He has also suffered spells of homelessness. Supported in the public gallery by his girlfriend the court heard Rowe had abstained from drugs for three months since moving to Derby last year. 

Recorder David Lock KC told Rowe he would be jailed immediately if he reoffended. 

He said: "I am just persuaded this case does not pass the threshold for an immediate custodial sentence. You will be subject to another community order concerning the common assault and there will be no further action on the criminal damage."

He added: "Though you will be required to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work in the community and be subject to a four month curfew where you must remain at the address given by you to the court from 7pm to 6am each night."

He added: "If you commit another crime and come before this court then you will be sentenced for everything involved in this and the previous community order, the criminal damage, the assault, possessing a weapon, breaking previous conditions and it add up and you will be put away for a long time."

Rowe was also ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge. 

Recorder Lock also granted a restraining order forcing Rowe to stay away from an ex-girlfriend which several previous convictions stemmed including assault, criminal damage and breaking none-molestation orders.