Man, 45, jailed for 10 months for burglary and possessing knife in Basingstoke

A man has been jailed for 10 months after pleading guilty to a number of offences including burglary and possessing a knife in Basingstoke.

Stuart Johnston, 45, of no fixed abode, was charged with burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal, possessing a knife blade in a public place and theft from a shop.

He was also charged with using threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour with intent to cause fear of / provoke unlawful violence and criminal damage to a property valued under £5,000.

Basingstoke Magistrates Court heard how Johnston had carried out a number of offences in the town over a four-month period.

• On Tuesday 6 January 2024, Johnston was arrested for having a lock knife near Alencon Link, Basingstoke.
• On 7 November 2023, Johnston entered the Village Farm Shop on Hackwood Road and attempted to steal cash from the till.
• On 27 October 2023, he damaged a window at the Mary Rose Court Hostel on Attwood Close.
• On 11 October 2023, he stole vodka worth £441.04 from the Tesco store in Chineham before threatening a man.

Johnston pleaded guilty to all of the offences at Basingstoke Magistrates Court and was jailed for 10 months on Wednesday 7 January.

Police Staff Investigator Chloe Wilmott, from Basingstoke CID, said: “Stuart Johnston was a prolific offender who needed to be stopped.

“He was arrested in the town centre on Tuesday 6 January and later charged with a number of offences in Basingstoke.

“I hope this result reassures the local community that we take all reports of crime extremely seriously and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”