Prolific Midlands criminal has jail term cut
A prolific criminal who was jailed for escaping from police had his sentence cut after top judges heard of his attempts to turn his life around.
Brett Walter Dunn, 27 was locked up in February after running off while in custody for a suspected theft-related offence.
He had been found near Kidderminster Cricket Club with an electric drill and satnav device, but escaped when officers' backs were turned.
Dunn, of no fixed abode, was jailed for eight months at Worcester Crown Court, but this week saw that cut by two months at the Court of Appeal.
Mr Justice Sweeney said Dunn had begun drug detoxification and that his parents had offered to take him in when he is released from prison.
"There are green shoots visible of him finally taking steps to get his life back on track by addressing his drug addiction," he said.
The court heard much of Dunn's criminal history has been linked to his long-standing drug habit.
He had been up in court for 88 offences, including 36 thefts and multiple charges relating to breaching court orders.
Dunn was on bail in January when police were called to Kidderminster Cricket Club and found him nearby.
He had the drill and satnav with him, and was suffering with a facial injury and fractured jaw.
Police took him to hospital, but as he later stopped to wash his mouth out, he ran off through a car park and hedge.
He was on the run for 17 days before being arrested.
The offence for which he had been arrested at the cricket club was not proceeded with.
A pre-sentence report said Dunn wanted to distance himself from drug-taking friends and was now taking methadone to help with his addiction.
His lawyers argued that the term was 'excessive' and saw it cut by the judge, sitting with Judge Jeffrey Pegden QC and Lord Justice Simon.
Mr Justice Sweeney concluded: "It seems to us that the sentence was too long."
The term was cut to six months.
