David Wood, an undertaker from Middlesbrough, England, received a six month prison sentence, suspended for one year, yesterday for stealing the keys of a competitor's hearse. The incident was recorded on CCTV, and Wood pleaded guilty to theft. Wood told his probation officer that it was “stupid, pathetic and childish”. He did it because he believed Joel D Kerr, the undertaker whose keys were stolen, had taken some of his business.  The  judge, Recorder James Goss QC, told Wood that he "treated the death in this case and the funeral that was taking place with disrespect . " He said " this is not really an offence of theft but an offence against public decency." Wood's barrister, Peter Makepeace, apologised on behalf of his client and pointed  that since the case was reported, Wood's business has suffered. Wood  did not comment. In addition to his suspended sentence, Wood was ordered to pay £250 (US$410) costsand a compensation hearing will occur at a later date. The keys, which Wood threw in his flight, have yet to be found.
David Wood, an undertaker from Middlesbrough, England, received a six month suspended prison sentence yesterday for stealing the keys of a competitor's hearse. Wood was under the impression Joel D. Kerr, the undertaker whose keys were stolen, had poached some of his business. He told his probation officer that his actions were "stupid, pathetic and childish". The incident was recorded on CCTV, and Wood pleaded guilty to theft. The judge, Recorder James Goss QC, told Wood that he "treated the death in this case and the funeral that was taking place with disrespect . .. this is not really an offence of theft but an offence against public decency." Wood's barrister, Peter Makepeace, apologised on behalf of his client and pointed out that since the case was reported, Wood's business has suffered. Wood himself did not comment. In addition to his sentence, suspended for a year, Wood was ordered to pay £250 costs. A compensation hearing will occur at a later date. The keys, which Wood lost in his flight, have yet to be found.
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prison sentence, suspended for one year,
suspended prison sentence
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The incident was recorded on CCTV, and Wood pleaded guilty to theft. Wood told his probation officer that it was “stupid, pathetic and childish”. He did it because he believed Joel D
Wood was under the impression Joel D.
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taken
poached
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He told his probation officer that his actions were "stupid, pathetic and childish".
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incident was recorded on CCTV, and Wood pleaded guilty to theft. The
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" He said "
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out
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himself
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suspended sentence,
sentence, suspended for a year,
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(US$410) costsand a
costs. A
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threw
lost