Worthing thief Joshua Schofield in court over crime spree

Joshua Schofield, 19, was among a gang who broke into a home in Worthing and took a BMW for a joyride.

The gang went to a McDonald’s drive through restaurant in Littlehampton at 5am and then stole petrol.

Police found the car, and Schofield, driving, raced off at 100mph, driving dangerously.

He was eventually caught in Bognor.

But because the crime happened more than two years ago, Schofield was spared a prison sentence.

At Hove Crown Court William Saunders revealed the incident happened in April 2019, where a vehicle was stolen from a property in Milton Street.

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Schofield was later seen overtaking and driving dangerously through rush-hour traffic between Littlehampton and Bognor.

Previously, The Argus reported his crime spree, which included racing off from police in a stolen car and driving dangerously through a level crossing.

He broke into people’s homes to steal their cars, before leading police on hair-raising chases with his mates.

Read more about this defendant: 'You have caused havoc' - Worthing teen Joshua Schofield spared jail over crime spree

Victims said they felt “violated” and “targeted” by the youth.

Hove Crown Court was told how Schofield also targete shops including Tarring News and Wine, smashing a window, and Denyer News, where he cost the business £1,300 in lost takings.

He previously admitted nine offences including three domestic burglaries, two commercial burglaries, aggravated vehicle taking, taking a car without the owner’s consent, fraud by false representation, and driving without insurance.

But Schofield, who has been in and out of foster care and children’s home since the age of seven was spared a jail term in November last year because he has now started to turn his life around.

Joshua Schofield outside Hove Crown Court

At Hove Crown Court this week, Nicholas Hamblin, defending, said the offences happened before he was convicted of the offences reported by The Argus in November.

His Honour Judge Gold QC said Schofield has started to turn his life around.

The judge told Schofield, of Windsor Road, Worthing: “You have one of the worst records I have seen for someone your age.

“Do you think you are going to keep your hands off other people’s cars?”

Schofield revealed he was looking to get a job so he could save up to go travelling.

He previously spent five months in prison on remand, and did not like the experience, it was revealed.

The judge said: “A lot of people would say ‘let’s get this young man off the streets’. But I will give you the chance to show what you can do. You have turned your life around somewhat.”

He warned Schofield that with any further crimes, the courts would be “chomping at the bit” to send him to prison.

Judge Gold QC imposed a further one-year suspended sentence on Schofield for the offences of dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and theft of petrol.

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