Kiburn actor faces jail for carrying out a string of burglaries to fuel his drug habit
Samson Misra carried out a string of burglaries across London - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
An aspiring actor from Kilburn who landed a leading role at London’s world-famous Young Vic faces years behind bars for a string of burglaries if he fails a drug assessment.
Samson Misra, 47, of The Avenue, Brondesbury Park, stole almost £30,000 worth of goods including a Louis Vuitton bag, jewellery, perfume and bottles of champagne after ransacking 14 properties.
Southwark Crown Court heard Misra’s pursuit of rich pickings in a bid to fuel his drug habit saw him target homes in Harley Street, Marylebone and St John’s Wood in March and April this year.
The ‘professional burglar’ was subject to a two-year suspended sentence for an earlier burglary in 2012.
Misra has been in and out of prison for almost 30 years and has a string of previous convictions including a 12-year stretch for robbery with an imitation firearm.
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Following his release in 2009, he began working with the Only Connect programme, which rehabilitates offenders, and won a main part in a play at the Small Theatre of the Young Vic.
But he was wrongfully arrested for failing a drugs test three hours before the curtain went up and spent 12 months behind bars.
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Deborah Morris, defending Misra, told the court he had become institutionalised as a result of being banged up for years and had developed a ‘chaotic’ drug habit.
She added: “The only thing that has never been tried is a residential drug rehabilitation programme. That is the only humane and just sentence.”
Judge David Higgins agreed to adjourn sentence for a drug assessment to see whether Misra would be suitable for a residential treatment programme.
Misra admitted three counts of burglary and asked for a further 11 to be taken into account.
He will return to court to learn his fate on November 1.
