Notorious criminal ‘rat boy’ jailed again for 37th offence

A notorious criminal who gained the nickname ‘rat boy’ for his habit of hiding in ventilation shafts as a child burglar has been jailed for his 37th offence as he heads towards middle age.

Anthony Kennedy made headlines nationwide as a baby-faced schoolboy who terrorised the Byker Wall estate in Newcastle in the 1990s.

Kennedy, who raided the homes of the elderly and infirm, was back at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday after admitting breaking into a house in North Tyneside.

Anthony Kennedy (pictured in 2018) made headlines nationwide as a baby-faced schoolboy who terrorised the Byker Wall estate in Newcastle in the 1990s

Now, at the age of 38, he has been locked up again – this time for three years after a botched burglary that saw him leave a trail of blood across his victim’s home.

Judge Robert Spragg jailed Kennedy, of Michaelgate, Byker, Newcastle, for three years and four months, adding he was ‘turning into a career burglar’. 

The court heard Kennedy already had 36 previous convictions for dwelling burglaries, many carried out as a youth.

His latest victim, a security consultant, left his locked and alarmed home on Kensington Gardens, Monkseaton, around 3pm on September 21.

Kennedy entered by smashing a century old glass panel in the front door.

But the bumbling villain cut himself in the process and left a train of blood as he scoured the house.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said the victim returned the following day to find his home ransacked.

Rat boy: 37 offences in 38 years

Kennedy had his first police caution at the age of 10. 

By the age of 13 Kennedy had committed 55 offences and escaped from care 37 times. 

More recently, he was jailed for 30 months in 2004, got a suspended sentence in 2006 and was locked up for three years in 2013.    

In 2001 Kennedy, then 22, was jailed for 15 months after he admitted assaulting police officers while awaiting sentence for leading police in a high-speed chase through Newcastle.

In 2004, hr was back behind bars after he admitted to burgling two homes and handling stolen jewellery.

Sentimental items had been stolen including watches worth £750 – one of which was 35 years old and of significant sentimental value.

She said: ‘Going upstairs he saw in the main bedroom items had been removed from the bedside cabinet and were on the floor. 

‘An office desk had been searched and £80 had been taken from it. 

‘There were blood stains on the cupboard and on various other items.’

Costume jewellery, foreign currency, a gold star of David which belonged to his late mother, a watch chain that had belonged to his grandad and a sim card were also taken. 

Kennedy was snared after he was caught on CCTV and police ran DNA tests on the blood left splattered across the house. 

Ms Masters added: ‘When interviewed, he said he had stolen items to keep for himself to sell in order to buy food and that he was struggling as he was getting no benefits.

‘He said he chose the house because it was in the dark and he assumed it was empty.’ 

The victim said in a statement to the court: ‘I don’t believe the true impact can be understood until you become a victim yourself.

‘It shows a total disregard for people. I’ve lived here 22 years and it is a large property with many of the original features. 

 Kennedy (pictured in 1997) was back at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday after admitting breaking into a house in North Tyneside

 Kennedy (pictured in 1997) was back at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday after admitting breaking into a house in North Tyneside

During his latest burglary, the bumbling villain cut himself as he smashed a window

He left a train of blood as he scoured the house

During his latest burglary, the bumbling villain cut himself as he smashed a window and left a train of blood as he scoured the house

‘The glass was 100 years old with an imperfection which added to the character of the property. 

‘Some of the stolen property is of sentimental value including a watch which travelled all over the world. It’s irreplaceable. 

‘Some of the property belonged to my mother. It’s like stealing memories.’ 

As a child, Kennedy confounded by police as he targeting the homes of the elderly, escaping into the heating ducts and stairwells of the Byker Wall – the estate in Newcastle’s East End where he grew up.  

Jeff Taylor, defending, said: ‘He had notoriety as a child. 

‘There was a period of time when he was very much having difficulties in his life and was excluded from school at 11. 

‘A significant number of offences occurred in the Byker Wall area. At that point the design of the structure was considered to be relatively easy to enter with a small person being passed through the window by others. It has extended into his adult life. 

His latest victim, a security consultant, left his locked and alarmed home on Kensington Gardens, Monkseaton, around 3pm on September 21

His latest victim, a security consultant, left his locked and alarmed home on Kensington Gardens, Monkseaton, around 3pm on September 21

‘He struggles with his ability to deal with drugs. He solves problems by resorting back to criminal offending. 

‘He is apologetic, he has insight into the effect of his actions but his thinking skills are deficient and he has learning difficulties.’

In 2007, Kennedy claimed to have given up a life of crime after finding love and religion. He and his partner moved to Blyth, Northumberland, to have a fresh start.

He said at the time: ‘I believe it’s important to treat others how you would like to be treated yourself and to have respect for other people.

‘When I was rat boy, those were things I didn’t care about.’ 

‘Rat Boy is the person I used to be,’ he professed at the time.

‘The only names I want to be called now are Anthony and Dad. I’ve turned my back on crime and would never go back to that life. I’ve got too much to lose.’



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