Sentence cut after Morecambe man’s dirty protest

Christopher David Higgins, 25, was handed a total three-year jail term at Preston Crown Court in July.

He was punished for a string of offences – including handling stolen goods, possessing cannabis with intent and criminal damage.

Higgins, of Scott Road, staged his dirty protest after he was arrested on suspicion of drug offences, Mrs Justice Nicola Davies told London’s Appeal Court today.

Police were left reeling when they opened his cell door to find he had smeared the words on his cell wall.

A specialist cleaner was called in to deep-clean the cell at a cost of £57, the court heard.

Higgins’ handling offence involved receiving a bike that had been stolen from an autistic boy, who was left “devastated” by the theft.

He had also been caught in possession of cannabis with a street value of over £2,000, the court heard.

Higgins’ case reached the Appeal Court as he challenged his punishment, claiming it was far too harsh.

And Mrs Justice Davies agreed he should have received more credit for his guilty pleas.

The judge, sitting with Lady Justice Sharp and Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, cut Higgins’ sentence to two years and seven months.