POLICE and prosecutors have been asked to reconsider whether a “bullying” thief is made subject of a criminal behaviour order.

Judge James Adkin said such an order should be considered and may be fitting in the case of 33-year-old Travis Dickinson, of Fleece Terrace, Edmondsley, when he sentenced him to 19 weeks in prison recently for theft from a disabled man outside a pub.

But when the case came back to Durham Crown Court, yesterday, Lee Fish, for the Crown, told Judge Adkin: “The prosecution has considered with the police the possibility of applying for an order and the only evidence available to support it is that he’s a fairly imposing individual and his record.

“Whether he has a history of violence and is capable of acting like a bully, there is no common denominator, and the prosecution don’t consider it appropriate.”

But Judge Adkin told Mr Fish: “Doesn’t he choose to commit similar offences, theft from the person, demanding money from a complete stranger, battery of an amputee, demanding money from him, bullying a disabled man?

“There is a common denominator of going to people’s houses asking for money or cigarettes.”

Mr Fish replied: “If your honour thinks it appropriate, it would require a further adjournment to have a look at it again.”

Ashleigh Metcalfe, representing Dickinson, objected, saying the prosecution has had sufficient time to consider the matter since the case was before the court, last month.

But the judge said the prosecution should reassess and give its decision by close of play on Tuesday.

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