Another chance for man who raided Nelson college

5:10pm Saturday 12th July 2008

A FATHER of two has repeatedly flouted a community order imposed for a near £10,000 raid at a college, a court heard.

Dean Tonks, 23, had last October been given nine months in prison, suspended for two years and 180 hours unpaid work, after admiting theft and burglary at Nelson and Colne College in May.

He had earlier breached it and had been given a further 15 hours work.

Tonks, whose partner is expecting their third child, admitted breaching the community order.

Tonks, of Hambledon View, Read, was given 20 extra hours work and must pay £75 costs.

Tina Landale, prosecuting for the probation service, told the court Tonks had 113 and a quarter hours of work still to do.

A drumper truck had rammed the gates of the college in the early hours of May 4, last year.

Damage to the tune of £1,500 was caused to the gates and the defendant, stopped neaby, was found to be twice the drink drive limit.

Equipment, including cameras and laptops, worth £9,600 had been taken from a cabin on the site.

Martin Hackett, defending, said the court could give Tonks one last chance to complete the order.

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