Judge lets off burglar who stole from a neighbour after finding out her unborn baby has Down’s Syndrome
A WOMAN who burgled her neighbour’s home has been spared prison as an act of mercy to her unborn disabled baby.
Leanne Duddin, 28, raided next door’s house while they were at work.
Duddin, who has 11 previous convictions, was facing an immediate two-year jail term after admitting the break-in in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear.
But Judge Amanda Rippon suspended the sentence after hearing her unborn baby had Down’s syndrome.
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She told her at Newcastle crown court: “This is a decision I have taken not for you.
“I’m being merciful to the child you are carrying and not to you.
“This was an extremely serious offence which, if I had locked you up immediately, I could not have been criticised about but I’m being merciful for the baby you are carrying.”
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