A man who admitted trying to steal a cereal bar from a car went on the run in Newcastle for three weeks after catching the wrong train. Ali Alkalesh, 36, had pleaded guilty to the theft attempt and to a separate charge of possessing a knife in public, but failed to attend his sentencing hearing in North Yorkshire.
Alkalesh, who is originally from Kuwait but is now classed as "stateless", had been in the North East ever since his wrong turn until he was arrested this week. He appeared in the dock in custody at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
Arrest and initial offence
Clare Haswell, prosecuting, said Alkalesh was first spotted by police walking down a road in York on September 8. She told the court: "There had been reports of a male in possession of a knife and being intoxicated. Officers attended and found the defendant."
"They observed him walking along the pavement while holding a knife. They then observed him trying to conceal the knife within his right sleeve."
The court heard that Alkalesh was arrested and bailed but was back out offending four weeks later. On October 3, the victim received a notification from his ring doorbell suggesting someone was outside his home and had opened his car door.
Cereal bar theft and sentencing
Miss Haswell continued: "[The victim] went outside and saw the defendant inside his car moving around the centre console. The defendant took a cereal bar from the glovebox, which was eventually taken back by the victim's wife."
The court heard that Alkalesh came to the UK three years ago but was now "stateless" and had gone into the car to steal food to eat. Judith Curry, defending, said: "He appeared in court in York and pleaded guilty and was bailed whilst a pre-sentence report was ordered. He was given a travel warrant."
"Unfortunately, he got on the wrong train at York, which is how he ended up in Newcastle. He has been here ever since he got off the train, so, about three weeks. He's currently homeless."
District Judge Paul Currer gave Alkalesh a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, saying: "The most serious offence is the possession of a knife while you were intoxicated. The other offence, I accept, you were looking for items to steal from a car to feed yourself."
"Possession of a knife is a serious offence because use of a knife as a weapon could have very serious consequences, indeed." Alkalesh was also fined £150 and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.
