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Burglar Blames Steroid Addiction for Breaking Into Three Homes and Stealing Jewelry Burglar Blames Steroid Addiction for Breaking Into Three Homes and Stealing Jewelry
It was bound to happen sooner or later. Criminals have used the “dumbbell defense” to explain their actions in cases of assault and domestic violence and steroid dealers have used “steroid addiction” to explain their descent into a life of crime. It was inevitable that a burglar would blame his steroid addiction for stealing stuff.
The “dumbbell defense” describes the defense strategy of blaming the consumption of anabolic steroids for a variety of criminal behaviors. It is most commonly used in cases of violent crime or “roid rage”. And now it has been used to explain burglary.
Nicholas Bull recently pleaded guilty to burglary at Cambridge Crown Court. Bull sought leniency during sentencing by blaming his steroid addiction. He claimed his steroid addiction that led to his erratic behavior that included breaking into and burglarizing three houses located in Bourn, Cambridgeshire on the afternoon of November 19, 2015. Bull was caught after he cut himself during the break-in and left blood on a duvet. The blood was used to identify him though DNA analysis.
Prosecutor Lawrence Bruce described Bull's crime to Judge Jonathan Haworth.
“[A] large amount of sentimental jewellery was stolen including diamond wedding rings, a Cartier gold watch and pen, engagement rings, a Swarovski bracelet, 9k gold earrings, a string of pearls, a pearl bracelet, an Egyptian gold chain and diamond earrings,” Bruce told the judge.
The jewelry was worth an estimated £8,000 GBP ($11,500 USD). However, Bull sold it for only £180 GBP ($260 USD).
Duncan O'Donnell, the attorney representing Bull, hoped the judge would have leniency on his client. O'Donnell raised the issue of steroid addiction, the death of Bull's father and a £2,000 debt that included back taxes and child support payments.
“The defendant had £2,000 of debt with the tax authorities and child maintenance. He doesn't try to wriggle out of responsibility; he knows he must have wrecked somebody's Christmas,” O'Donnell said. “He knows the jewellery can't be replaced and now has a young family and a 2-week-old baby.”
Judge Haworth was unmoved. Bull was sentenced to 12-months in prison.
Bull and his attorney would have you believe that there are steroid-using bodybuilders on the loose who are robbing old women of their jewelry in order to support their steroid addiction.
Don't be so quick to fall for it.
Source:
Cox, T. (January 11, 2016). Cambridge burglar hooked on steroids sold £8,000 of jewellery including Cartier watch for £180. Retrieved from http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Bur...00-jewellery/story-28486464-detail/story.html
It was bound to happen sooner or later. Criminals have used the “dumbbell defense” to explain their actions in cases of assault and domestic violence and steroid dealers have used “steroid addiction” to explain their descent into a life of crime. It was inevitable that a burglar would blame his steroid addiction for stealing stuff.
The “dumbbell defense” describes the defense strategy of blaming the consumption of anabolic steroids for a variety of criminal behaviors. It is most commonly used in cases of violent crime or “roid rage”. And now it has been used to explain burglary.
Nicholas Bull recently pleaded guilty to burglary at Cambridge Crown Court. Bull sought leniency during sentencing by blaming his steroid addiction. He claimed his steroid addiction that led to his erratic behavior that included breaking into and burglarizing three houses located in Bourn, Cambridgeshire on the afternoon of November 19, 2015. Bull was caught after he cut himself during the break-in and left blood on a duvet. The blood was used to identify him though DNA analysis.
Prosecutor Lawrence Bruce described Bull's crime to Judge Jonathan Haworth.
“[A] large amount of sentimental jewellery was stolen including diamond wedding rings, a Cartier gold watch and pen, engagement rings, a Swarovski bracelet, 9k gold earrings, a string of pearls, a pearl bracelet, an Egyptian gold chain and diamond earrings,” Bruce told the judge.
The jewelry was worth an estimated £8,000 GBP ($11,500 USD). However, Bull sold it for only £180 GBP ($260 USD).
Duncan O'Donnell, the attorney representing Bull, hoped the judge would have leniency on his client. O'Donnell raised the issue of steroid addiction, the death of Bull's father and a £2,000 debt that included back taxes and child support payments.
“The defendant had £2,000 of debt with the tax authorities and child maintenance. He doesn't try to wriggle out of responsibility; he knows he must have wrecked somebody's Christmas,” O'Donnell said. “He knows the jewellery can't be replaced and now has a young family and a 2-week-old baby.”
Judge Haworth was unmoved. Bull was sentenced to 12-months in prison.
Bull and his attorney would have you believe that there are steroid-using bodybuilders on the loose who are robbing old women of their jewelry in order to support their steroid addiction.
Don't be so quick to fall for it.
Source:
Cox, T. (January 11, 2016). Cambridge burglar hooked on steroids sold £8,000 of jewellery including Cartier watch for £180. Retrieved from http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Bur...00-jewellery/story-28486464-detail/story.html
