Thief tracked by iPad signal spared prison

A young thief snared by the tracking signal on an iPad he had stolen has today been spared prison.

Keith Perry, of Connaught Close, Maidenhead, took the £700 tablet computer, charger and a USB stick from a car on January 24.

Police were notified and tracked the iPad across Maidenhead - eventually cornering the 20-year-old and arresting him in Fotherby Court off York Road in Maidenhead after he tried to flee.

Perry, who has nine previous convictions, was given a 'final chance' at Slough Magistrates' Court and told to get off drugs and stop blaming others for his problems.

Magistrate Pat Abbas said: "Probation services are bending over backwards to stop you going into custody.

"There is so much support to help you build yourself a life and today is your last chance."

Perry pleaded guilty to one count of theft and one count of breaching a 12 month conditional discharge he received in March 2011 for stealing perfume.

He was given a 12 month supervision order and ordered to do 60 hours unpaid work and attend a six months drugs rehabilitation programme.

See next week's Advertiser for the full story.