Former drug addict stole child's bike from Oldbury Park Primary School

Shaun Perkins scaled a fence to steal the child's bike from Oldbury Park Primary School in Oldbury Road, St John's, Worcester.

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When challenged by officers he claimed the bike belonged to his niece but was forced to admit that was not the case when police made further checks with his family.

The 36-year-old, who had been living in the city previously, gave his address as Maryman's Road, Evesham when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Thursday.

GUILTY: Shaun Perkins at Worcester Magistrates Court. He stole a child's bike, blaming blood clots in his leg from heroin abuse.

Police received reports that Perkins was stealing a push bike from the primary school on June 1 this year at around 3.30pm.

Just after 3.45pm officers arrived and found him with the bike, valued at £120, which was returned to its rightful owner.

Monuwara Begum, prosecuting, said: "He maintained the bike belonged to his niece and he was cycling it for her."

However, later checks revealed the bike did not belong to his niece and she did not even attend that primary school. The owner had not been aware of the theft until the police called them.

Ms Begun said: "In interview, Mr Perkins did admit the theft. He states he suffers from sepsis and has a blood clot and struggles to walk. 

"He said he could not walk anymore so scaled the fence and stole the bike."

He confirmed to officers his intention was 'to keep it and use it'. Perkins was said to have committed a similar offence in 2017.

CASE: The sentence took place at Worcester Magistrates Court

Ms Begum argued there was 'some degree of planning' for him to have climbed the fence.

Paul Stanley, defending, said Perkins 'had been a heroin user in the past hence the reason why he has difficulties with his leg and blood clots'.

"That's the reason he took the bike - so he could ride around rather than walk," the solicitor said.

He asked that Perkins be given full credit for his early guilty plea and full and frank admissions. It was revealed that Perkins already owed the court £2,133 in outstanding fines.

Kevin Lloyd-Wright, the chairman of the bench, described the offence as 'unsophisticated' with 'little planning'.

Magistrates fined him £80, ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £185. The amount will be consolidated with his existing debts and deducted from his benefits.