Darren Turpin from Maidstone jailed after 111th conviction
06:00, 25 June 2019
A defendant called D Turpin has appeared in court for his 111th conviction.
Darren Turpin - who describes himself as a freelance pest control technician - has been responsible for 239 offences including 73 assaults and 20 breaches of public order.
He made his latest appearance at Maidstone Crown Court after being arrested in November 2017 outside Maidstone West Railway Station.
Prosecutor Ian Foinette said: “Officers were called to the station because Turpin, who was recognised by officers, was seen lying in a recovery position.
“He appeared to have been having some sort of fit. He was described as making kung fu noises and kicking out with his legs.”
Turpin was then seen to start laughing to himself then became quiet and the police didn’t know if he was asleep “or something a little more serious”.
Mr Foinette said officers then called for an ambulance but were told it would take two hours before arriving.
“They checked to see if he was alright and the ambulance officials asked if Turpin’s bag had been searched which might give them a clue as to why he was behaving in the way he was and if he had taken some form of substance, “ he added.
“You have an appalling history of offending including 10 offences post-date this offence..." Judge David Griffith-Jones QC
The prosecutor said officers then found what they described as a 3ft three foot Samurai sword - but defence barrister Alexia Zimbler disputed the size
She claimed photographs showed it was just 30cms or 1ft long and was more like a dagger.
Ms Zimbler said Turpin bought it at a boot fare and claimed he “was just taking it home”.
Homeless Turpin, 50, formerly of Granary, Paddock Wood, was seen days later at Tonbridge Railway Station and questioned and claimed he picked it up for a friend and no longer wanted it.
The court heard there are 111 convictions recorded against him including 62 against the police and/or the courts dating from 1985.
Judge David Griffith-Jones QC jailed him for nine months after he was convicted of possessing a knife in public.
He told him: “In your bag was a dagger or sword and calling it a Samurai sword may have been over glamorising it.
“You have an appalling history of offending including 10 offences post-date this offence. You have a propensity for violence and causing aggravation and disturbance in public.”
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