Jailed: Addict stole handbag from woman, 86, at Bridgnorth doctors
A ‘disgusting’ thief who stole a handbag from an 86-year-old woman waiting to see a doctor in Bridgnorth has been jailed for 12 months.
Drug addict Adam Berry, 46, carried out a string of offences in the town to fund his habit.
Miss Sati Ruck, prosecuting, said Berry entered Bridgnorth Medical Practice, in Northgate, on June 25 where he snatched a handbag, containing £60, belonging to a pensioner who was waiting to see a doctor.
Days earlier Berry broke into Bridgnorth Rugby Club, in Bridge Street, on June 22, causing £2,500 damage to the cooling system. He also stole £70 worth of meat from M&S Simply Food, in St John Street, on April 21, which he told police he sold on to a pub for £25.
Miss Ruck said Berry had started to offend in September 2017 and since then had notched up 20 convictions for theft and attempted theft.
“Of the burglaries the worst was at Bridgnorth Rugby Club where significant damage worth £2,500 was carried out to the cooling system. This was impulse offending," she said.
“Of the thefts the worst was the handbag matter when £60 was stolen. The aggravating feature was the victim’s age. She was aged 86 and sitting in the medical practice waiting for an appointment. She will have suffered emotional distress.”
Ashamed
Berry, a labourer, admitted three counts of burglary other than dwelling, one count of attempted burglary other than dwelling and one count of theft at an earlier hearing.
Mr Robert Edwards, defending, said: “There is remorse. He has been disgusted and ashamed of himself and can’t believe that at his age he is reduced to doing something so low as stealing from an elderly person.”
He told the hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court that Berry, of no fixed abode, had taken up with a woman who took drugs and he joined in, eventually losing his job and home in a downward spiral.
Judge Jonathan Gosling told Berry that overall he would have been jailed for 18 months, but he would be given one third credit. He sentenced him to a total of 12 months jail in total. Berry must serve half before being released on supervised licence.
"It is pretty disgusting to see a man of your age involved in something like this. You had led a decent life. Now driven by addiction to class A drugs you have ended up here. When drugs like heroin and cocaine get hold of you, it it incredibly difficult to bring yourself back under control.
"The consequence is that you have moved up from stealing from shops to something more sinister," the judge added.
