Burglary and Crash Land Man in Jail for Nearly Three Years
A 21-year-old man has been jailed for 34 months after a daring burglary and a reckless crash that caused thousands of pounds in damage.
Breaking Into a Friend’s Home and Ransacking It
On the morning of 11 February 2020, Rhys Curtis and his 19-year-old mate Max Plaister broke into a house on Selsey Avenue. They woke the occupants – people they knew – then demanded property and ransacked the place.
The pair made off with around £3,000 worth of jewellery and some trainers. Curtis, from Mill Pond Road in Gosport, and Plaister, who had no fixed address, were soon arrested but initially denied involvement.
Curtis pleaded guilty to burglary on 30 September. Plaister was convicted after a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court on 4 October. Plaister’s sentencing is set for 12 December.
Reckless Crash After Drugged Driving Spree
Later that year, on 5 November at about 11pm, Curtis was behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta when things turned deadly. He crashed into a BMW, a Vauxhall Astra, and then careered into a house on Varos Close, causing serious structural damage.
Curtis fled the scene on foot but was caught and charged with a slew of offences, which he admitted in court on 17 June:
- Three counts of criminal damage
- Failing to stop after an accident
- Failing to report an accident
- Driving under the influence of cannabis
- Driving without a licence
- Driving without insurance
Judge Hands Down Tough Sentence
At Portsmouth Crown Court on 7 October, Curtis was locked up for nearly three years and banned from driving for 21 months.
“These were all very serious offences, and I am pleased that both defendants have been convicted,” PC Charlotte Pocock said. “Curtis’s reckless driving could have killed or seriously injured someone.”
“The vehicles were written off, and the house suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage. The impact on the victims has been life-changing.”
“I hope this case reminds people of the devastating consequences of driving illegally.”
