Three in court for shop theft

Matthew Morris, 41, from Ely Close in Worksop, appeared at Worksop Magistrates Court on Wednesday 12th September alongside 27-year-old Gary Lee Perkins from Winifred Road in Rhodesia and Sheldon Price, 41, from Goldsmith Road.

Together, they faced charges of stealing gas canisters and blow torch heads worth £95.92 from Halfords on 29th July after three men were later spotted on the store’s CCTV.

Both Perkins and Price pleaded guilty to the offence, but claimed that they just placed the items in a bag and did not take them out of a store.

The court heard how Perkins had ‘very serious drink and drug issues’ and was drunk at the time of the offence.

Perkins was fined £100 and ordered to pay £31.97 in compensation to Halfords as well as £25 in court costs and £15 compensation.

Price was ordered to pay £25 court costs and also £31.97 compensation, as well as being given a conditional discharge for six months.

Morris meanwhile, denied the offence and a summary trial date was set for the afternoon of 7th November.

He was given conditional bail.

During the proceedings however, Morris did plead guilty to being drunk and disorderly on 11th September on Bridge Street, Worksop, where he was ‘begging forcefully’ and ‘clearly in drink’.

Morris argued that police officers approached him and were ‘abusive towards him’ - at which point he swore at them.

He was fined £60 and ordered to pay £25 in court costs as well as a £15 victim surcharge.

All fines will be deducted from his benefits.