A YEOVIL man has been jailed for breaching a criminal behaviour order by shoplifting to fund his drug habit.
David Bailey, 43, of no fixed abode, in Yeovil, appeared in Taunton Crown Court, sitting in Worle, North Somerset, on Friday, October 9 of this year.
This follows Bailey being convicted of 32 offences this year.
The offences, which include theft, breaching a criminal behaviour order, and driving a Ford Focus while disqualified from doing so, occurred between March 18 and June 16 of this year.
Overall, Bailey stole around £5372.79 worth of items from various stores in Yeovil and Somerton, including food and pressure washers.
According to the listings, some of these thefts were committed jointly with Nadine Redward, 41, of no fixed abode (NFA), South Somerset, who was sentenced separately to a total custodial period of 53 weeks and ordered to pay compensation.
The court heard Bailey has 62 previous court appearances, for 187 offences, and 103 convictions for theft specifically.
William Hunter, prosecuting, said Bailey has regularly breached criminal behaviour orders and that all the thefts took place in Yeovil and in the surrounding areas.
Mr Hunter said none of the property was recovered.
It was heard that Bailey would enter the stores with his own bags and would leave without making payments.
Harry Ahuja, defending, said: “The breaches cause a continuing risk of criminal or antisocial behaviour; there is no doubt.
“Mr Bailey appreciates he is in this circle which is self-created.
“This circular pattern that he is in of repeatedly stealing in order to fund his drug use, of going to prison, or breaching orders.”
The court heard Bailey has had a drug issue from the age of 18.
Read more
Man jailed for non-recent sexual offences against children in Somerset and Devon
Man charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent in Taunton
Scout body describes convicted Taunton leader's sex abuse crimes as 'abhorrent'
He said: “This has impacted him. He has had time in custody to reflect. He feels he is now in a position to comply.
“He is motivated to tackle his drug use problems.”
His Honour Judge Shepherd said: “I can’t go down the route that your barrister urges on me. I wouldn’t be doing my job properly.
“I am going to sentence you today, but I am going to keep it as short as I possibly can.
“In terms of the breach of the criminal behaviour order, Mr Hunter, the prosecution describes the seven separate offences as specimen charges.
“This clearly is a very serious and persistent breach. No doubt about it.
“Shoplifting can be serious, if it is done on the mass scale you have been doing.”
He added: “I can’t ignore that there were seven breaches. That is persistent, no doubt, but I am also sentencing you for everything together.”
His Honour Judge Shepherd acknowledged that Bailey steals and breaches orders due to his long-lasting drug addiction.
He said: “You have been addicted for a long time, you have battled it in the past, but you have not been successful.”
He said he hopes Bailey can “dry out” in prison.
Bailey has been sentenced to a total custodial period of 25 months.
His Honour Judge Shepherd said: “In all the circumstances I can’t suspend the sentence.
“I really hope you don’t breach your licence conditions; I hope you are able to kick your addiction, fingers crossed that you are.”
Bailey is also disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Share