Ohio judge lectures man after his 109th case

[December 31, 2008]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- A Cincinnati judge said he has seen long criminal records before, but this one was notable. Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Ted Berry gave 41-year-old Norman Holmes a 90-day jail sentence and a lecture Monday after Holmes' 109th misdemeanor conviction.

Police who arrested Holmes for stealing toothpaste from a drug store Sunday found he also was wanted for taking vodka, a screwdriver and air freshener from a convenience store.

Holmes pleaded guilty to a theft charge but had no answer when the judge asked why he didn't become productive instead of stealing.

Records show nearly a third of Holmes' convictions were for theft. He also has served five short prison stints on minor felony charges such as breaking and entering and for drugs.

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Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com/

[Associated Press]

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