Middlesbrough burglar who broke into pizza shop given final chance

Michael Millward said he skipped a previous court appearance as ‘he didn’t want to go to prison’.

The 38-year-old burgled a pizza shop after trying to force his way into the next-door convenience store earlier this year.

A judge heard how Millward was caught at the scene, along with his accomplice, when the takeaway owner called the police.

Teesside Crown Court heard on Thursday that he was found with the cash he had stolen from the till at La Rena pizza shop, in Park End, Middlesbrough.

Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, said the defendant was arrested on February 2 after the owner heard noises downstairs in the takeaway.

The next morning, the owner of the nearby Bindra Convenience Store found that someone had tried to force their way in.

Millward, of Peire Close, Middlesbrough, admitted attempted burglary, burglary, and failing to surrender to the court on May 28.

La Rena pizza shop in Park End, Middlesbrough (Image: Google)

Nigel Soppitt, mitigating, said the defendant had been living with his brother and helped to look after him for the past three years.

“He's asked me to say that he's very sorry. He has kept out of trouble between 2021 and 2024, apart from driving whilst disqualified. He's got a job - he doesn't want to lose his job,” he said.

“He's worked there for two weeks and they told him if he works hard, he can stay. He's now been in prison for two weeks.

"There he is with a job. There he is with stable accommodation. There he is with a wish, he says, to stay out of trouble.”

Mr Soppitt urged the judge to pass a community order to enable his client to continue living with his brother.

Judge Christopher Smith quizzed the defendant’s lawyer about his ability to abide by a community order to stay out prison.

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Millward interrupted proceedings, when he said: “I don't want to (go to prison), Your Honour. I promise I'll stick to it and won't cause no more problems in the community."

Judge Christopher Smith said: "With a bit of support, maybe you can turn things around and stop this nonsense. You have promised me you'll keep to this order and I promise you that if you don't - it's prison.”

Millward was sentenced to an 18-month community order and told he must attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

"You were fit and able to be out in the small hours trying to burgle, so you're fit for hard graft," Judge Smith said. "If you break your promise - I'll keep mine."