Man stole credit card from Milton Keynes church so he could buy tombstone for his father

Instead of buying the tombstone,John Corcoran went on a shopping spree and bought "hover boards" from Asda, Aylesbury Crown Court was told.

The court heard the dad-of-four had 33 convictions for 92 offences, which included thefts, dishonesty and driving matters.

Corcoran, 35, told the judge his intention had been purely to mark his late father's sad death by suicide when he stole a wallet from a builder who was installing a disability ramp at the church.

He seized his chance after the builder left it unattended after ordering a skip.

But he was then gripped with a frenzy of selfish consumerism and visited 10 shops within just over an hour, spending almost £15,000 on the victim's bank card before it was cancelled.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the builder, Paul Hayes said: "The fact that this happened in a church car park makes it even worse, like they have got no morals."

After being caught by police with the stolen items, which included two hover boards purchased on February 11 in Asda in MK, prosecutors said Corcoran had been released.

But he went on to offend again weeks later, on April 21, when he drove dangerously and without a licence or insurance.

Eunice Opare-Addo, prosecuting, said: "When officers were on mobile patrol, they located the defendant in a black Astra vehicle approaching a road traffic signal from the direction of Wellingborough, Northants.

"Officers then decided to pursue the defendant's vehicle. He narrowly missed an HGV and continued to drive at speeds in excess of 65mph on a 30mph road."

Corcoran admitted fraud by false representation, theft, dangerous driving and driving without a licence and insurance.

Defending him, Tom Phillips said his client was motivated by a desire to bring some happiness to his family and closure by way of a headstone for his father's grave.

"He recognises that his actions were wrong and he is ashamed of them," he said.

The barrister added that the defendant, who appeared by video link from prison, was married and had four children, between the ages of 15 and three years, who his spouse was struggling to care for since he had been remanded in custody.

Judge Thomas Rochford told Corcoran: "In February this year you came upon, quite how we do not know, the wallet of your primary victim who was carrying out an honest day's work as a builder. That was not a theft that you planned, you came upon it and saw an opportunity.

"I bear in mind that a motivation for the theft and the dishonest fraud you committed after that was a wish to buy presents for your family and a headstone for your tragically dead father. That, you realise I am sure, does not justify or explain your offending."

The judge sentenced Corcoran to 19 months imprisonment and banned him from driving for 21 months and two weeks, adding that he would need to take an extended retest if he wanted to regain a licence.