A drug addict who stole groceries from the Kildwick Co-op to sell to people in pubs has been given a conditional discharge from Skipton magistrates.
Benjamin Lee, 28, was already subject to a 12-month community order from Bradford magistrates for similar offences and was tackling his addiction to heroin and crack cocaine, the court heard.
He had gone into the Co-op shop, part of Kildwick Petrol Station, on August 11 and had been caught on the store’s CCTV camera taking £129 of groceries without paying, the court heard.
He later told police he’d stolen the groceries to fund his heroin and crack habit by selling them in Keighley pubs.
Lee, who had shop theft convictions in June and October last year, and August this year, had received a 12-month community order from Bradford magistrates last month, the court heard.
Formerly of Jennings Close, Silsden, he was living at a drugs rehabilitation centre in Cooper Lane, Bradford, where he was on a methadone programme and subject to five times a week drug tests.
Magistrates ordered Lee to pay compensation of £129.87 to the Co-op and a victims surcharge of £15.
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