One drink led man back to crime

One drink at Christmas led a man who had kept out of trouble for 10 years back on the road to crime.
Crime newsCrime news
Crime news

Mark Howarth returned to his old stamping ground of St Annes and stole a bottle of alcohol.

Howarth, 40, of Linden Crescent, Darwen, pleaded guilty to theft of a bottle of chocolate mint liqueur worth £9.98 from Home Bargains, St Annes.

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He was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay compensation of £9.98 with £75 costs plus £15 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.

Alison Quanbrough, prosecuting, said Howarth was tracked down by police after CCTV footage showed him stealing a bottle of Sidekick from Home Bargains on May 22. Robert Castle, defending, said Howarth had kept out of trouble for 10 years. Mr Castle, added: “ At Christmas he had one drink for the first time in a very long time. He thought he could handle it, but he could not. He took to drink again.”

He has a lady friend in Darwen who is helping him significantly and he is keeping off the alcohol again.”