I Think We Have Differing Views On What Constitutes ‘A Constructive Sentence Which Would Benefit The Community’…

Mr Kelcey urged for a constructive sentence which would benefit the community as well as his client.

Sadly, instead of a bullet to the back of the head, he was handed ‘12 months of drug treatment and supervision’.

His client is one of those ‘minor’ criminals we call shoplifters. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't get the full Suite of Excuses deployed for him!

The court heard he was genuinely remorseful and showing insight about where continued addiction could take him.

Ah. So, in a fit of remorse, he confessed and turned himself in? Not exactly…

Timothy Hills, prosecuting, said Stephens went to Sainsbury's in Gloucester Road and was caught on CCTV slipping three bottles of spirit inside his jacket.

When he returned later staff caught him and he was arrested, telling police he had been asked to steal by a couple of lads.

On Christmas Eve last year Stephens struck at a Sainsbury's at the top of Gloucester Road, said Mr Hills, and when chased pulled out a syringe and pointed it towards security staff.

He ran off and was arrested later but, whilst on bail, was arrested for stealing two bottles of wine from Tesco Express in Broadmead.

He refused to be interviewed or give a DNA test.

I guess ‘remorseful’ is being redefined along with ‘constructive’…