Shoplifter given chance to kick drug habit

MAGISTRATES have offered a Yeovil man a lifeline to try and kick his heroin habit after he admitted four offences of shoplifting.

Gary Judd helped himself to perfume and air fresheners and when staff viewed CCTV footage and saw the defendant stealing the goods, he was detained.

When the 43-year-old, of Barnabas House, appeared before South Somerset Magistrates they ordered him to undergo a drug rehabilitation requirement in a bid to rid himself of his drug habit once and for all.

Judd pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of perfume belonging to Boots at Yeovil on July 19. He also admitted stealing five air fresheners from Wilkinson on July 6 and stealing a pint of milk from the same store on July 14.

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Prosecutor Felicity Payne said that on July 19 Judd went to Boots in Middle Street, removed a bottle of Estée Lauder perfume worth £70 and left without paying.

"Later that day the security officer saw that the perfume was missing and 45 minutes later the defendant returned to the store and was seen putting another bottle of perfume in his pocket," she said.

"During interview with the police he accepted taking the perfume but could not remember the other two incidents at Wilkinson. He said he took the perfume because he needed to earn £20 and had already sold one of the bottles when he was arrested."

Defending solicitor Sam Morton said that Judd knew a drug rehabilitation order would not be an easy task. "However he knows it will be is best hope of staying off heroin which he has been addicted to since 2005," he said.

The magistrates sentenced Judd to a community order with a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and supervision for nine months. He was also ordered to pay compensation to Boots and Wilkinson but no costs were imposed.