Burglar Causes £65,000 Damage at Gateshead Cancer Charity Like a Tornado
A burglar caused £65,000 in damage at a Gateshead cancer charity, disrupting vital services for those in need.
Gateshead, Northumberland, UK, Cancer Charity, Burglary
Gateshead: A man named Paul Nicholson broke into a cancer support charity. He caused a massive £65,000 in damage. The charity is called Fighting All Cancers Together (FACT). It helps cancer patients and their families.
This incident happened on June 13 last year. Nicholson smashed a window to get inside. The charity had just spent £500,000 on renovations, including new furniture and fixtures.
When police arrived, Nicholson and an accomplice tried to hide in the loft. They caused even more damage trying to escape. Eventually, police found him hiding in the wall.
Charity workers discovered that many items were damaged. This included phones, laptops, and kitchen appliances. Some items had to be thrown away due to blood from Nicholson’s injuries.
The total cost of the 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. She said it felt like a tornado had hit the building. The charity is a safe place for many during tough times.
After his arrest, Nicholson was aggressive and kicked a police officer. He had a long history of crimes, including 37 previous convictions. He pleaded guilty to multiple burglaries and was sentenced to 63 months in prison.
His lawyer mentioned that Nicholson felt remorse for his actions. He was upset to learn he targeted a charity. The community is encouraged to stay updated on court news through a WhatsApp group.