A HEROIN addict has been jailed for 16 weeks for stealing more than £1,000 worth of electrical items and groceries from several shops including a charity shop.
Robin Lunn, of Rodborough Drive, pleaded guilty to six counts of theft at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday (June 5).
The 51-year-old was charged with stealing a USB charger, a radio, a guitar, an Apple laptop and several food items.
Owen Beale, prosecuting, told the court Lunn had been spotted by officers on May 2 with two boxes full of a variety of electrical items which appeared to be brand new.
The police made enquiries and found they were stolen and Lunn explained he had been struggling for money and took them to resell.
Whilst on bail on May 6 and May 8 he then stole more items including an Apple Mac Book worth £900 and when interviewed he told officers he was trying to re-establish his music collection.
On May 14 he went into Tesco and helped himself to food and gave the explanation that he was hungry. He was also found to have a camcorder case and other items stolen from St Richard’s Hospice shop which he said he was particularly sorry for.
Defence solicitor Mark Sheward told District Judge Nigel Cadbury, the defendant had been stealing to feed his addiction to drugs and help him survive after coming out of prison.
He said: “It would be very easy to say ‘off you go back to prison’ and he can not complain if that is what you decide to do today.
“I have represented him several times and every time he goes to prison, his benefits stop and he comes out with his addiction still there and comes out and steals to fund not only heroin but food items too and this will happen over and over again unless something changes.
Mr Sheward suggested District Judge Cadbury listen to reports from probation which said a community order would address his drug issues.
The District Judge said: “I understand you have had a heroin addiction for all of your adult life and have committed offences for all your adult life.
“It has been said that you have an addiction that you are not in a position to do anything about and if I can stop you using I can stop you offending, that is not the case I’m afraid it is up to you, only you can stop using.
“You don’t show any signs of changing what seems to be a habit of a lifetime.
“You can get assistance with your drug addiction, it is not true to say nothing will be done while in custody.”
