Jailed: Addict smashed into restaurant to steal charity jar
A drug addict who stole a charity jar in a restaurant burglary in Telford has been jailed.
Steven Bebb broke into the back yard of Kashmir Cafe in Madeley and smashed a window to get into the stock room, Telford Magistrates Court was told.
He broke in at some time after the restaurant closed on September 1 and reopened again on September 2.
A charity tin containing around £60 in cash, contributed by workers at the Indian restaurant, and a black stereo were taken in the burglary.
Bebb was caught and arrested after fingerprints found by forensic officers at the scene matched his.
The 32-year-old, of Bembridge, Brookside, Telford, had admitted burglary at a previous court hearing and appeared at Telford via video link to be sentenced.
Miss Kelly Crowe, prosecuting, said: "He has gone to Kashmir Cafe, in High Street, Madeley, sometime between 11.30pm on September 1 and 4.45pm on September 2.
"It is an Indian takeaway. The premises were locked and secured.
"When the owners opened up they found the rear yard had been entered and forced entry had been made through the stock room window.
"They discovered the offender had made a complete search of the stock room.
"A charity box containing around £60 in cash had been taken along with a black stereo valued at £85.
"Fingerprints left at the scene identified the defendant as being responsible."
She said after his arrest Bebb tested negative for class A drugs but had a long record of previous for dishonesty.
Mr Paul Nicholas, for Bebb, said the stolen box had a big sign on it saying "for charity" – but claimed that it was written in Urdu.
"It was a charity box that was actually for employees of the restaurant," he said.
"Mr Bebb couldn't have known that it was a charity box, to him it was a just a normal standard box with loose change in it.
"He accepts at 32 years of age he needs to change. He realises his normal lifestyle of going out, taking drugs and stealing is not helping him. He wants to leave his current associates behind and leave Telford altogether to make a fresh start."
Mr Nicholas appealed to magistrates to consider imposing a community order on Bebb to give him some help with his drug problems and a chance of a fresh start.
But justices were told he had flouted such orders on six previous occasions by either not turning up for unpaid work or appointments. He was instead sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.
