A DRUG addict criminal who has been a regular to Worcester courts this year has been given a chance to turn his life around.
Connor Weston was back at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, (December 1), less than a month after his last appearance.
But this time Weston, of Canterbury Road, Worcester, was given the chance to get off drugs, and stop his persistent offending.
The 24-year-old admitted theft from a shop; Sumreen Afsar, prosecuting, telling magistrates the stealing took place at Budgens on October 9 this year.
Mrs Afsar said an off-duty police officer saw two people run out of the store holding bags for life with items in them.
"He suspected thieving so gives chase," Mrs Afsar said.
"He identified Connor Weston and continued to follow them."
The prosecutor said, after arrest, it emerged £80 of meat had been stolen from the Nunnery Way-based supermarket.
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The prosecutor said because one of the bags containing £40 of meat was recovered, compensation for the other half was being asked for.
Mrs Afsar added an "aggravating factor" was Weston's previous conviction including dishonesty matters, and that the offence had been committed while he was on a community order.
We have reported this year on Weston's court appearances for offences of making off without payment, burglary and assault by beating an emergency worker.
Gary Harper, defending, said the latest offence and others this year had all been down to the taking of drugs.
Mr Harper said Weston had been engaging with Cranstoun, the substance misuse service based in the county, and said he was currently on a methadone script.
"The previous convictions are aggravating, I can not get away from that," Mr Harper added.
"There is a chance of rehabilitation there."
The court clerk then informed magistrates Weston owes £2,500 to the court from past offending, adding it was going to take a "significant period to be cleared".
After deliberations, Simon Egerton, chairman of the magistrates bench, told Weston he was getting a 12-month community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement.
The chairman said: "You do need to engage with that.
"It might sort you out - it seems you are keen."
Weston was also ordered to pay compensation of £40 and costs of £60 with no victim surcharge due to his limited means.
The £100 total was added to the outstanding amount Weston owes which is being deducted from his benefits.
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