Desperate thief had no money

A "desperate" thief who struck twice while subject to a suspended sentence had no money, a court heard.
Burnley Magistrates' CourtBurnley Magistrates' Court
Burnley Magistrates' Court

Burnley magistrates were told how Paul Stuart Denwood (27) stole £90 hair straighteners from Tesco in the town. One set was recovered and one wasn't. He had been made subject to a suspended jail term for driving offences in June 2017.

Denwood's benefits had been changed from Universal Credit back to Employment and Support Allowance and it left him without cash for more than three weeks.

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Mr Nick Dearing (defending) said Denwood had had his benefits stopped. He had no support network.

The solicitor added: "He was just having a bad time and made a stupid decision to resort to theft. Theft is never the answer, but sometimes people make stupid decisions when they are desperate."

The defendant, of Edgeworth Grove, Burnley, admitted two counts of theft, on May 25th and June 26th. His case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports and he will learn his fate on August 1st.