A burglar caused extensive damage at a Gateshead cancer charity, leaving a £65,000 bill. The break-in disrupted vital services for cancer patients and their families.
Gateshead: A man named Paul Nicholson broke into a cancer support charity. He caused about £65,000 in damage. The charity helps cancer patients and their families.
This incident happened on June 13 last year. Nicholson broke into the Fighting All Cancers Together (FACT) charity on Springwell Road. The charity had just spent £500,000 on renovations.
Nicholson forced his way in through a window using a large piece of metal. He and an accomplice tried to hide in the loft when police arrived. They caused more damage trying to escape.
Police found Nicholson hiding in the wall. The charity workers discovered that many items were damaged, including phones, laptops, and kitchen appliances. Some items had to be thrown away due to blood from Nicholson’s injuries.
The total damage was £64,868. The charity’s chief executive, Joanne Smith, said many people would suffer from this crime. They provide essential support to those affected by cancer.
Joanne expressed how devastating this was for the charity. They had to suspend services while repairs were made. She emphasized that the charity is a safe place for many during tough times.
When arrested, Nicholson was aggressive and had to be restrained. After being released on bail, he committed more burglaries in the area. He has a long criminal history with 37 previous convictions.
Nicholson pleaded guilty to multiple charges and was sentenced to 63 months in prison. His defense attorney mentioned that he felt remorse for his actions, especially since it was a charity.
