Drug addict admitted stealing perfume
A drug addict stole two bottles of perfume from Next after seeing her estranged daughter.
Samantha Clarke, 34 of Priory Road, pleaded guilty to theft when she appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court last Thursday.
There the court heard how Clarke, who is on a methadone script for drug addiction, was arrested after taking the smellies on August 8.
Alison May, prosecuting, said: "She was seen selecting the items and leaving without making any effort to pay. Security stopped her outside and the items were recovered."
Sam Wingfield, defending Clarke on what was her 16th court appearance for theft, could not offer up any explanation for the theft.
She said: "Previously she was stealing to pay for her drug habit but she is currently working with the substance misuse service and doing very well. She is also settled in a new relationship and on a reduced methadone script.
"On the day in question she had seen her daughter with her mother, who she no longer sees, and her daughter was ushered away as soon as they made eye-contact.
"She then went into Next and took the perfume. She cannot explain why she did it because she no longer needs to fund a drug habit and she has a boyfriend who would have brought the perfume for her."
District Judge Roger Ede decided he needed to hear more about Clarke before deciding on her punishment. He therefore adjourned for a pre sentence report to be made by probation.
Clarke was released on unconditional bail and told to return to the court on September 12.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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