Prolific Carlisle offender avoids jail after incident outside Bomb Shelter

Mark Ian Telfer, 48, had 98 previous convictions for 218 offences to his name, but Recorder Richard Archer said his hands were tied when sentencing him at the city’s crown court as he was forced to sentence the case in isolation.

Telfer was already serving a prison sentence for possession of an offensive weapon, affray and theft, with Recorder Archer claiming the charge of attempted theft should have been tried with the other charges.

“The complainant was sat outside the Bomb Shelter bar on Botchergate in Carlisle with three friends,” said prosecutor Julian Goode.

“She soon felt someone pull at her bag.

“She looked to see the defendant’s hand on her bag, which had previously been zipped. She shouted, ‘someone has just been in my bag’.”

The incident took place on August 26.

One of the victim’s friends then shouted at the defendant, who responded by squaring up to him.

The court heard how Telfer denied the offence when interviewed by police.

Timothy Ashmole, defending, said: “He should have been dealt with in September.

“This is why I’m asking for a conditional discharge. Essentially it is the fault of the police why he hasn’t been dealt with in one go.”

He said his client was sorry for his actions and that he had been spending time in prison educating himself.

Sentencing Telfer to a six-month conditional discharge, Recorder Archer said: “The only people to blame for why you are not getting a sentence in prison are the Crown Prosecution Service and police.”

Telfer, who is currently serving time in Holme House Prison, Stockton-on-Tees, was ordered to pay a statutory victim surcharge.

Speaking after the court case, Inspector Jonathan Oliphant said: “We always acknowledge feedback and comments from our partners in the criminal justice system and we will review the circumstances to this investigation and take any learning on board.”