A “penniless” man stole a pile of T-shirts from Blacks in Bath to exchange for whisky, a court heard.
Bath Magistrates’ Court
Andrew Lees, who Bath magistrates heard has 46 previous convictions for 84 offences, had been caught on CCTV in the shop on Abbeygate Street on 1st April.
Prosecutor Mia Fogwill-Tait said police were informed and 58-year-old Lees was traced, but he cycled off. He was pursued by police, apprehended in the car park at Bath Sports & Leisure Centre, and arrested.
Lees, who lives on a boat on the Kennet & Avon Canal, was accused of stealing 13 T-shirts worth £351 but at the hearing on Monday 20th April he said there were “only 10”, and the Crown Prosecution Service agreed to amend the charge.
Lees said he knew it was wrong to steal, but at the time he was “penniless” as his benefits had been sanctioned, and he had been offered whisky in exchange for T-shirts.
He added that he thought the police had cracked his rib when they “jumped” him.
Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge, meaning no further action will be taken if Lees stays out of trouble for the next year.
He was ordered to pay compensation of £270 to Blacks for the T-shirts. There was no order for prosecution costs or a court surcharge due to the defendant’s lack of means.
