Offender to be deported

22 July 2010, 11:41 | Updated: 22 July 2010, 12:19

Gloucestershire Police say they plan to deport a prolific offender, as he hasn't responded to rehab.

Ladislav Simovic, who's originally from the Czech Republic, was sentenced to 22 months in prison at Gloucester Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to a burglary in Blehheim Street in June.

The court heard the 30 year old had appeared in court 25 times since moving to the UK in 2006.

Gloucester Police’s Prolific Offender Unit had been working with Simovic to help him turn over a new leaf.

Detective Sergeant Richard Pegler, from the Prolific Offender Unit, said:

"We are really pleased with the sentence given in this case as we are now able to pursue Simovic's deportation back to the Czech Republic.

“We have worked tirelessly with Simovic over the last 18 months to try and rehabilitate him and address his issues and he has failed time and time again due to a total lack of effort and disrespect for the criminal justice system.

“He is a menace to society and has made life a misery for so many local people.”

Sergeant Pegler also highlighted how, despite Simovic, the work of the unit, which monitors and supports 39 of the division's most prolific offenders as they come back into the community, is helping reduce crime in Gloucester.

“The majority of the offenders on the prolific scheme are burglars and are subject to intensive support and supervision by all agencies involved.

"The good news is that dwelling burglary was reduced by over 20% in the Forest and Gloucester last year and looks set to continue from April this year (down 28% so far).

"We are not a soft option but will help those who really want to change and show some commitment. For those that don't there is only one alternative - prison."