Barnstaple man in court for stealing six joints of meat from the Co-op

A HEROIN user who stole six joints of meat from the Co-op in Barnstaple with the intention of selling it to buy drugs, appeared before North Devon Magistrates on Friday.

Richard Lloyd, 39, of Flat 6, Rackfield Court, Barnstaple, pleaded guilty to stealing the meat, valued at £38.80, on February 11.

Karen Ball, for the prosecution, said the defendant was seen selecting the joints of meat and placing them in a rucksack before leaving the store without paying.

He was found nearby and arrested.

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He did not have the rucksack with him at that time but told officers where he had put it.

He said he intended to sell the meat to buy heroin.

Tony Dart, for the defence, said his client had got up that day, not feeling too clever and was desperate for money.

He did not go out with the intention of stealing but after going into the shop it occurred to him to do just that.

Mr Dart said his client had a long record of offending which was largely to fund his heroin habit.

He said Lloyd did not have a regular habit but when he was feeling down he might commit an offence like this.

Magistrates gave Lloyd a community order for eight weeks with a curfew and told him to pay compensation of £38.80 to the Co-op and a victim surcharge of £60.