Sentence changed after court blunder.

A THIEF, who stole numerous items from shops in Honiton and harassed his parents, had his sentence changed after an ‘error in sentencing procedures’.

Matthew Lee Stamp, 25, of Gabriel House in Exeter, appeared at Central Devon Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday, following an application to re-open his case.

The 25-year-old had received a suspended sentence for committing a number of thefts and a burglary, and breaching a restraining order when he last appeared in court.

On April 1 and 11 he breached a restraining order, prohibiting him from entering his parents’ address in Honiton, and was seen looking through a window – causing alarm and distress to his parents.

On one of these occasions, he was in breach of his bail conditions.

Stamp also stole four bottles of alcohol from the Co-operative store in Lace Walk on April 5, valued at �125.

On the same day, he entered The Original Factory Store as a trespasser and stole jeans and other items of clothing to the value of �188.

The 25-year-old committed a further theft after he stole a bottle of fragrance from Debenhams in Exeter.

Peter Woodley, defending, said: “There has been an error in sentencing procedures.”

He told the court that Stamp had complied with the terms of his order which meant he had to not commit any further offences, maintain stable accommodation and work with the drugs services.

The magistrates’ heard Stamp had tested positive in a drugs test - a matter raised at a previous court hearing.

The court removed his suspended sentence and ordered him to continue with a curfew, which operates from 7pm to 7am, until November 4.