ALEX CLOUGH AND HIS SHOCKING BURGLARY IN PLYMOUTH
A notorious sex offender, Alex Clough, 26, has been sentenced to jail after a series of criminal acts that took place in Plymouth.Clough was responsible for repeatedly burglarizing a local pub, specifically targeting its cellar in an attempt to steal alcohol worth approximately £2,000.
His repeated attempts to commit this crime involved sneaking down the stairs of the Stoke Inn multiple times, with reports indicating he made at least six separate trips to the cellar to abscond with spirits, cider, and wine.
The incident came to light when the pub’s landlord, Steve Bowen, identified the intruder through CCTV footage and posted images of the break-in on Facebook.
This social media post led to Clough’s swift identification, as his parents recognized him from the CCTV image.
Following the recognition, Clough voluntarily surrendered to police authorities, ending his brief reign of theft and vandalism at the establishment.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Clough’s criminal history is extensive.
He was incarcerated at the young age of 14 for attempted rape and robbery back in 2007.
His prior convictions also include assaults and failing to properly register his whereabouts with authorities.
Most recently, Clough had been residing in Plymouth, where these latest offenses occurred.
The court heard that the burglary occurred after a busy Friday night at the Stoke Inn.
Landlord Mr.
Bowen noticed that the door to the stockroom was left unlocked and observed that several shelves had been raided.
It was discovered that a total of 21 bottles of spirits—such as Smirnoff vodka and Gordon’s gin—along with multiple boxes of wine and cider, had been stolen.
CCTV footage confirmed that a man, later identified as Clough, had gone up and down the staircase six times during the burglary, each trip presumably for stealing alcoholic beverages.
Clough also faced charges unrelated to the burglary.
He admitted to assaulting a police officer during an incident in Andover on October 20.
Additionally, he pleaded guilty to neglecting his legal obligation to register his address with authorities, which is a standard requirement for offenders under supervision.
In his defense, Clough’s legal representatives argued that he has struggled with significant mental health issues, including an overdose attempt made in a desperate bid to end his life.
It was also noted that his financial situation was dire, leading him to steal from the pub in an apparent effort to pay off existing debts.
Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Paul Darlow dismissed these claims, condemning Clough’s actions as 'revolting' and 'brazen.' The judge emphasised that Clough had previously shown signs of reform but had ultimately relapsed into criminal behavior.
Clough’s criminal record includes a five-year prison sentence in 2007 for robbing youths in the street and assaulting a 14-year-old girl in an alley in an attempted sexual assault.
These past offenses paint a clear picture of a man with a troubling history of violence and misconduct.
The incident has deeply affected the local community and the business owner.
Landlord Mr.
Bowen expressed his dismay, stating that he believed justice had been served in this case.
He also shared his frustrations on social media, revealing that Clough’s brazen behavior has led to the cancellation of the pub’s staff Christmas party—an event that was significantly impacted by the break-in.
Furthermore, Mr.
Bowen announced that, to support social causes, the pub had managed to raise around £200 for Shekinah, a charity dedicated to assisting homeless and vulnerable individuals.
Despite the setbacks caused by Clough’s criminal activities, the community and the pub’s management continue to show resilience and a desire to contribute positively amid adversity.
