A MAN went on a 10-day shoplifting spree during which he stole more than £500 worth of goods.
Blackburn magistrates heard Dean Robert Smethurst committed the offences at a time of "intense personal crisis" which he had now come through.
Smethurst, 46, of Horsfall Close, Accrington, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of shoplifting.
He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 20 days' rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £20 and ordered to pay £531 compensation.
Peter King, defending, said until 2018 Smethurst had gone many, many years without getting into any kind of trouble
He had been living on the Fylde Coast where he had a pedlar's licence but when he moved back to his native Accrington he was unable to get a similar permit.
"He got into financial difficulties, fell in with the wrong crowd and started to use heroin," said Mr King.
"The offences on their own are low-key but the accumulation takes them to a much higher level."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel