AN IRATE thief who refused to stop being abusive towards a judge and dock officer had to be dragged down the cells part way through his sentencing.

Daniel Storrar, of Rowan Drive, Woodley, admitted to one count of aggravated burglary and a further three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was handed a hefty sentence of nine years in prison at Reading Crown Court on Friday (March 23).

Storrar was told how long he would be serving much later than anticipated after he refused to keep quiet.

Recorder Timothy Greene said he was satisfied that the 32-year-old 'presented a significant risk to the public' during the sentencing.

Storrar had to be taken down to the cells an hour into the sentencing after attacking the dock officer, as well as shouting and swearing as he reacted to what was being told to the court.

The serial offender was being abusive towards the judge while he was in the dock and was warned several times before the dock officer was ordered to take him downstairs.

Reading Chronicle:

The court heard how Storrar used a baseball bat to carry out the burglary before assaulting three people on Crockhamwell Road, Woodley.

Storrar initially denied the offences after a property was raided on September 2 last year.

He was due to be sentenced at the same court in February, but the court decided to adjourn to allow the probation to complete a pre-sentence report.

A sentence of 12 months in prison for the three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm will run concurrently to his sentence of nine years for aggravated burglary.

Storrar will serve six years in prison, with the remainder of his sentence being served on extended licence.

The court heard how he had a history of offending and previously carried out a burglary within hours of being discharged from custody.

He also received a suspended sentence after stealing a car and taking items from a supermarket. He was also convicted for dangerous driving, stealing number plates and driving without a licence in April 2016.