Shame of Shrewsbury poppy tin thief
A thief from Shrewsbury on a three-week drug-fuelled crime spree stole Royal British Legion Poppy tins during the Remembrance Day weekend, a court heard.
Lee Davies was a sneak thief who took items and cash on an opportunistic basis, Shrewsbury magistrates were told.
Davies, of Castle Foregate, Shrewsbury, had previously admitted stealing two poppy tins from locations around Shrewsbury, stealing two cameras, stealing money from a cleaner at a Chinese restaurant, stealing cash belonging to Arriva Bus and being in possession of 52 milligrams of Subutex, a class C controlled drug.
The offences all took place between October 20 and November 9, including the thefts of the poppy tins which occurred during the Remembrance Day weekend.
"There are a lot of people that would say that we should have sent you straight to prison . . . It is down to you now. This is your final chance."
But magistrates decided to give the 30-year-old one final chance and yesterday sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.
Miss Sara Beddow, prosecuting, told magistrates: "The theft of the Royal British Legion charity box was captured on CCTV from Tesco Express on Ditherington Road.
"The same was for the Royal British Legion charity box which was taken from Shrewsbury Library. He had joined the library earlier in the day and was recognised from CCTV. "
Mr Peter Dagger, chairman of the bench, told Davies: "There are a lot of people that would say that we should have sent you straight to prison.
"You affected the lives of many people with these offences but we are trusting you to behave yourself and to carry out all that we have imposed.
"We are giving you a chance and that is what we think is best in terms of justice and for you. It is down to you now. This is your final chance."
Magistrates also ordered Davies to pay a total of £771 compensation to the victims of his crimes as well as an £80 victim surcharge.
Ms Ceri Lewis, for Davies, said that the offences represented a three-week "crime spree" which had been carried out to fund his drug problem.
"They were all drug-related crimes," said Ms Lewis.
"He is absolutely disgusted with his behaviour and actions and has shown remorse for what he has done. He has very little recollection of these offences.
"He said it could have been any charity box it just happened to be the Royal British Legion Box. He is disgusted with himself."
