Addict sent to jail for stealing goods from store (From The Northern Echo)

Addict sent to jail for stealing goods from store

1:13pm Friday 27th November 2009

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A HEROIN addict who went shopping with only 36p has been jailed for ten weeks.

Edward Franklin, who has a record of 31 previous thefts in the past seven years, was jailed by magistrates sitting in Darlington yesterday.

Franklin, 26, of Wilson Street, Darlington, stole two boxes of chocolates, a DVD box set and some deodorant from Boyes store, in Darlington, on November 12.

David Maddison, prosecuting, told the court Franklin was seen by the store's security guard on CCTV. He watched him take items from the shelves and left without paying. The security guard stopped Franklin as he left, and he admitted taking the goods.

Helen Sabiston, mitigating, said Franklin had been a drug user since he was 17 and his record of convictions was to fund his heroin habit. However, she said on this occasion, Franklin had intended to keep the goods for himself.

Adding that Franklin was now on a methadone treatment course andmotivated to beat his addiction."

Chairman of magistrates Collin Morris said: "You are without doubt a prolific offender and you failed to respond to non-custodial sentences in the past."

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