Exclusive:Serial Portsmouth car thief Christopher Walker who drove vehicle while disqualified gets prison sentence overturned

A serial car thief who was jailed for driving while disqualified has seen his prison sentence overturned.

Christopher Walker, 42 from Alexandra Road, Landport, previously pleaded guilty to one count of driving while disqualified. The court heard how on May 13 this year, Walker drove a Jeep through Coburg Street, Fratton, while disqualified, without a licence and without insurance.

Walker has several previous convictions for motoring offences, including several thefts from a motor vehicle, and multiple counts of drug driving.

He was once known as Portsmouth’s worst car thief and in 2010 was given a five-year Asbo banning him from all car parks in Portsea island. Posters with his picture on were put up warning people of his ban.

Initially this time, Walker was sentenced to two months in prison, but appealed his conviction at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, August 23. It was suggested that his sentence could instead be reduced to a suspended one, rather than a relatively brief stint in custody.

Presiding over his case, Recorder Tom Broomfield described him as a “consistent and continual” offender, retiring with the help of two magistrates to consider his verdict.

He said: “In cases where the shortest term is 12 months or less, the Sentencing Act requires it to be suspended unless certain exceptions apply. Because you were convicted of driving while disqualified, while under an interim suspension, your offending constituted breaching a court order.

“You drove while disqualified, and over the limit for a number of different drugs. There is no doubt that this offending is extremely serious.

“It’s also concerning that these offences were committed only seven days after you pleaded guilty to other charges too - including driving without a licence, failing to stop, and driving without due care and attention.

“But on balance, we do find there to be a prospect of rehabilitation.”

The court heard how after his most recent convictions, Walker complied faultlessly with the probation service, which included attending 11 different appointments. The judge also suggested that rehabilitation days would do more for the defendant than a “very short custodial stint”.

Recorder Broomfield upheld Walker’s appeal, overturning his custodial sentence and instead imposing a sentence of four months in custody, suspended for one year. However, he did so with a clear warning to the defendant.

He said: “If you do commit any further offences in the next 12 months, you will be brought back before this court, and the likelihood is the suspended sentence will be activated. You know that of course, as you have been here before.”

As part of his revised sentence, Walker will complete 20 rehabilitation days, as well as 40 hours of unpaid work.