A MAN tried to steal a bottle of whiskey from a Driffield supermarket days before Christmas after he spent a fortnight’s worth of benefits cash on a week-long drug binge, a court has heard.
Benjamin William Brickwood, 26, of New Walk, Driffield picked up a £16.99 bottle of Jim Beam whiskey from the drinks aisle in Lidl on the morning of December 23 and put it into a ‘Lidl’ carrier bag.
He then made for the exit without paying but had been spotted by store staff and stopped.
Brickwood pleaded guilty to a charge of theft from a shop when he was brought before magistrates in Bridlington last Wednesday.
He also admitted breaching a 12 month conditional discharge which had been imposed by Hull Magistrates Court on October 28 last year.
In mitigation Mike Farr said: “Mr Brickwood has a drug problem which is now pretty much under control and he lives with his parents in Driffield who are very suppportive. He’s getting support from a drug intervention programme and has a drug worker.”
Mr Farr said that prior to the offence for which Brickwood received his conditional discharge he had not offended for over two years and had found employment at a Cranswick Foods factory.
“He was employed for just over a year but due to the current climate lost his job and returned to drugs. The drug worker went on holiday and then fell ill, he didn’t have the support and lapsed back into drug use.
“During a week he spent his two weeks benefit money and savings. That led to this offence of stealing a bottle of whiskey as a present for his father. He felt guilty because he’s living with his parents,” Mr Farr said.
Presiding magistrate Ann Farnsworth said the bench were prepared to give Brickwood a chance and handed him a further conditional discharge for a period of two years. He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs.