A convicted burglar who risked an explosion at a Brislington shop has been handed a community penalty. Adrian Chivers appeared for sentence at Bristol Crown Court.
The 30-year-old, of Saltmarsh Drive in Lawrence Weston, pleaded guilty to burglary and damaging property being reckless as to whether life was endangered relating to an incident in May 2021. Judge Julian Lambert said Chivers' mental health inbalance caused him to succumb to the malign influence of others.
The judge handed him a three-year community order with mental health treatment and rehabilitation. He told Chivers: "I will manage your progress myself. If you fail, I'll impose the requisite custodial sentence."
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On May 5, 2021, a group of men tried to steal metal fencing outside The Gilmore convenience store in Birchwood Road, Brislington, but were challenged by the occupants. It was discovered that a section of gas pipe had been taken from the basement of the property, which caused a gas leak.
When the men left the scene in a van, empty-handed, one was heard to say: "Now we've given your stuff back don't take down our registration number." Police called in tracked down the van and found Chivers driving it.
In a previous hearing Judge Lambert told Chivers he was heading to jail. But the judge ordered and considered a mental health report on Chivers to investigate possible conditions. The court heard the case was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service in August 2021 and charges were authorised in January 2022 - but the case was delayed in getting to court due to a case progression backlog.
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