A man who stole £8,000 worth of parcels from an Evri depot in an attempt to make extra money for his family ahead of Christmas has been told by a judge that he “received a sentence beyond the powers of any court.” Darren O’Brien loaded his van with items meant for customers after gaining entry to the site by posing as a courier. He set up a Vinted account to sell the stolen goods but was caught after being intercepted by police with parcels in his vehicle.
O’Brien, aged 53, has a history of 43 previous convictions for 82 offences, including burglaries and assaults. Despite his criminal record, he avoided a direct jail sentence due to his declining health, having been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2020. The defendant, residing in a care home, pleaded guilty to burglary and fraud. His health condition led the judge to impose a suspended 16-month imprisonment sentence for two years.
In court, Nick Cockrell, defending O’Brien, highlighted his deteriorating health and the possibility of him spending the rest of his days in a non-custodial environment if he abides by the terms of the suspended sentence. Judge Ian Harris acknowledged O’Brien’s condition but emphasised that it did not prevent him from receiving a prison sentence should he commit any further offences. O’Brien expressed remorse after the sentencing and vowed not to reoffend.
The case of O’Brien’s burglary is a stark reminder of the consequences of his criminal actions, given his extensive criminal history. Despite his health struggles, the judge decided to take into account both the defendant’s health deterioration and his pattern of offending when imposing the suspended sentence. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of accountability for one’s actions, regardless of personal circumstances.