Thief on benefits could not afford his shopping

Michael Butcher, 54, of St Albans Road, St Annes, pleaded guilty to theft and being in breach of a conditional discharge for shoplifting.

He was fined £80 with £50 costs and ordered to pay a £150 court charge 
plus £20 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Jim Mowbray, said on October 17 Butcher went into B and M 
Bargains, St Annes Road West, St Annes, where he stole a £1.49 bottle of honey by concealing it in his jacket.

Butcher, who was apprehended outside the shop by a security officer, had five previous convictions for theft.

Patrick Nelligan, defending, said Butcher, who had undergone surgery, was on benefits.

He said his client had stolen the low value item from the shop because he did not have quite enough money for all the items he wanted to buy during his shopping trip.