Police officer pounced on thief who stole from car

Luke Goodman was on a mountain bike at the time which had a handbag he had stolen hanging from the handlebars.

Goodman, 2, of Park Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to theft.

He was given a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay £40 costs with £20 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Martine Connah, said a witness saw Goodman next to a car near Blackpool Art College on September 19 at 5.45pm.

Goodman then rode off on a yellow bike with a woman’s bag on his handlebars. The bag belonged to a woman who cared for the elderly.

Police were alerted and a couple of hours later a police officer saw Goodman next to another car and recognised him from the witness’s description. The officer ran up behind and detained Goodman.

Gary McAnulty, defending, told magistrates his client said he had not smashed the car window. It was already broken so he leaned in and took the bag.

Goodman had had his benefits money suspended so he was unable to go and collect his prescription for the heroin substitute methadone.

He felt his only option was resort to crime to get money for heroin.