Prolific offender could be deported

A PROLIFIC and violent teenage offender is behind bars and facing deportation today.

American born Christopher Long of Dilwyn Street, Ipswich was found guilty of robbery after attacking a taxi driver and making off with his takings.

Today Ipswich Crown Court heard how the 19-year-old had spent more time in custody than out of it since turning 16, with 18 court appearances for 35 offences including actual bodily harm, wounding and another robbery in total.

Judge John Holt said: “It was late at night on December 29 and you were a back seat passenger in a taxi and when it reached its destination and the taxi driver asked for his fare you struck him from behind more than once with a bottle and robbed him of his money bag containing around £60.”

The attack left Hawk Express driver Andrew Bearcroft with injuries to his ear and head.

Long's solicitor Nicholas Cotter said he had been institutionalised from a young age as a result of spending most of his childhood in foster care.

He added: “He asked me at this very late stage to pass on his remorse. He seems to be a man who lacks empathy. He has lived an appalling life. He sees the future as rather bleak. He is a rather frightened young man.”

He added that Long, who suffers from a personality disorder, had taken decorating, English and maths courses while in custody and hoped to improve his life on his eventual release.

Judge Holt gave Long an indeterminate sentence for public protection setting a minimum period to be served before he could be considered for release by the parole board of three years and 123 days.

He also recommended Long be deported back to the United States once he had served the sentence.

n. What do you think of the sentence? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk