Jail for Ipswich thief Joseph Newton after his father nearly died while chasing him following theft of £20

Joseph Newton - photograph taken on August 6 following his burglary arrest (Image: Archant)

Joseph Newton stole the money from his dad Derek while on bail for burgling his father’s flat in Burlington Road, Ipswich, just two weeks earlier.

Derek Newton had a history of heart problems and had to be airlifted to hospital after collapsing while pursuing his son.

Mr Newton senior was left fighting for his life at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital following the incident which occurred just before 5.10pm on August 17. He has since been released from hospital.

During his son’s sentencing, Ipswich Crown Court heard Joseph Newton, of no fixed address, was sorry for his actions.

It was also made clear he had not foreseen or intended for his father to be taken ill as a result of theft.

Newton junior pleaded guilty to burglary and theft at a previous hearing before Ipswich magistrates.

He told Ipswich Crown Court: “The last words I said to the magistrates’ court were ‘could you tell my dad I’m sorry”.

The court also heard Newton jnr had thought his father was dying and was desperate to see him.

Lynne Shirley, representing Newton jnr, said: “He is remorseful. He has pleaded guilty. He has saved his father and his sister the difficult ordeal of giving evidence in a trial.

“He’s very upset and obviously concerned about his father. It was certainly not his intention for him to come to any harm.

“He says ‘I wish I could have contact with my dad. I wish I could say sorry’.

“He is a young man not without hope. He wants to join the Army and that’s what he was going through the process of before these offences were committed.”

The court heard Newton jnr had a difficult relationship with his father.

Derek Newton was found in his back garden suffering from a suspected cardiac arrest by his daughter Victoria..

Just 16 days before the theft, Newton jnr had broken in to his dad’s home in the early hours and stolen £20.

On August 17 Newton jnr visited his father and was told to go away. Newton jnr appeared to be very upset but returned in the next 30 minutes.

He then ran out of the address with a £20 note. His father came out of the flat and chased him for a couple of minutes shouting ‘come back, come back’.

Newton was jailed for 16 months for the burglary and given a consecutive four-month sentence for theft.