A CHARD man currently serving a 23 month prison sentence has had his stay in jail extended after appearing before a district judge on charges of theft and handling stolen goods.

Kyle Unsworth, 27, of Albert Row, Chard, admitted dishonestly receiving foodstuffs and a charm bracelet belonging to Danni Bosence at Chard between January 8 and January 12 when he was brought before Yeovil Magistrates court as a serving prisoner.

Following a burglary at a Chard pub which had been damaged by a fire, Unsworth was found by police to be advertising a charm bracelet for sale which had been stolen during the raid, the court heard.

When he was arrested by police he denied taking part in the burglary the previous day claiming he had bought it “in good faith” from the back of a vehicle.

On another occasion Unsworth was found in possession of an Ipod stolen from a burglary at a farm in East Chinnock but said he had found it the previous day at Lidl in Chard.

He also admitted being responsible for a theft from a van after smashing a window, District Judge David Taylor sitting at Yeovil was told.

He also admitted dishonestly receiving an Ipod belonging to Tim Prior at Chard between March 21 and April 12 along with the theft of a rucksack, clothing, footwear, satnav and keys belonging to Ryan Partridge on January 26.

Adrian Maxwell, prosecuting, said the Ye Old Poppe Inn at South Chard had been severely damaged by a fire and was closed for renovation work.

“The landlady of the pub was informed the premises had been broken into and discovered that alcohol, food and soft drinks along with a charm bracelet had been stolen,” he said.

“A few days later she received information that Unsworth was advertising alcohol and what turned out to be the bracelet for sale so she told the police and he was arrested.

“When interviewed he denied taking part in a burglary and said he had bought the items on good faith from the back of a vehicle.”

On January 25 a van was left parked in Furnham Road and the following morning the owner discovered the passenger window had been smashed and various items had been stolen from inside which Unsworth later admitted.

On March 20 power tools and an Ipod were stolen during a burglary at a farm in East Chinnock and when Unsworth was arrested on other matters on April 11 a search of his address revealed the stolen Ipod.

“When Unsworth was interviewed he said he found it the previous day at Lidl in Chard and said it was quite an old one,” said Mr Maxwell.

Defending solicitor Sue Baker said at the time of the offences Unsworth was working as a warehouse operative and did not have any problems with drink or drugs, and added: “It seems to be a deficit in thinking skills where he made some incredibly poor decisions,” she said.

“At the time he was quite stressed about impending matters at the crown court which were hanging over him and he allowed himself to receive things that other people had taken.

“He then went to ground and buried his head in the sand but has now started a 23 month prison sentence imposed at Taunton Crown Court and is worried that these matters will add to his sentence.”

She said that Unsworth had managed to find himself a job in the prison kitchens and was keeping himself busy by learning new skills.

Unsworth had been previously jailed after leading police on a dangerous high-speed car chase, which saw pedestrians driving out of the way for safety, and him reaching speeds of 60mph in a 20mph zone.

He was sentenced to 23 months in prison for the chase and driving while disqualified, and was finally put behind bars after a police manhunt when he failed to attend to his court hearing.

The District judge said the new offences were aggravating as they were committed while on bail and sentenced him to a total of three months custody, to run consecutive to his existing prison sentence.

He also ordered him to pay an £80 victim surcharge on his release.