Judge jails persistent criminal with ‘horrendous’ driving record

Even his own barrister admitted that 39-year-old Craig Eyre has a “horrendous” criminal record which started when he was just 15 years old.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that, in addition to his driving bans, Eyre has 27 convictions for driving without insurance, 15 for making off without paying for fuel, 12 for handling stolen goods and another 30 for vehicle taking and theft.

He has served several prison sentences in the past.

Eyre, of Remington Road in Parson Cross, Sheffield, admitted a further 19 motoring-related offences and was jailed for a total of 20 months.

Judge Roger Keen told him: “You are a persistent criminal. Here you are again and nothing seems to stop you.”

Eyre admitted six offences of driving while disqualified, six of driving without insurance, two of handling stolen licence plates, four thefts and one of making off without payment.

The offences happened twice at the Wentworth Park Service Station off the A61 Sheffield to Barnsley road, the Cross Keys garage at Hoyland Common and a Brobot filling station in South Yorkshire.

Laura Marshall, prosecuting, said Eyre was banned from driving for three years in October 2009 and the new offences were committed between July and October last year.

He was first arrested for stealing a new £22,000 Ford Transit van and then seen on CCTV driving away from the Hoyland Common filling station.

On another occasion, when he drove off without paying, an assistant spotted his picture on a display compiled by police of fuel bandits.

Kevin Jones, defending, argued that Eyre should be spared custody. He said: “Disqualification isn’t going to trouble him.”

He did admit that Eyre’s record was “horrendous” and said he had lived a life of crime and drugs.

However, 10 months ago he became the carer of his six-year-old son which had made a big impact on him, added Mr Jones.

“At 39 he really is at the end of the road.

“For the last seven years he has always received custodial sentences and a non-custodial penalty would be his last chance,” said the barrister.

But Judge Keen told Eyre: “Your type of offending is becoming more and more prevalent as the price of fuel rockets. People need to know prison sentences await everyone who does it.”

As well as being jailed, Eyre was given a four-year driving ban.