6:41pm Thursday 8th May 2008
By SNJ Reporter
HEROIN addict Matthew Bloxsome stole two bottles of vodka and a tub of ice cream to pay for drugs, a court heard.
Bloxsome, 27, stole from two stores within a week to fund a habit he had had for eight years that was costing him £40 to £50 a day.
The first offence was on April 4 in the Co-Operative in Cashes Green, Stroud.
Prosecutor Derek Ryder told Stroud Magistrates' Court on Thursday: "He selected some vodka and ice cream, put the items in his clothing and left the store without paying."
He was stopped by staff and taken to Stroud police station, where he admitted the offence.
The second offence was on April 11 in the Sainsbury's in Dudbridge.
"He was seen to take a bottle of vodka and he made no attempt to pay for the item," said Mr Ryder.
Bloxsome, a father-of-one, pleaded guilty to both offences.
Graham Wallace, defending, said: "He was using a great amount of heroin and clearly Mr Bloxsome wouldn't be able to afford it on his benefits."
He said Bloxsome was trying to get a job and had cut his expenditure on heroin to £5 a day.
"He accepts his benefits shouldn't be used on heroin, but perhaps it's better that way than he goes out to steal," he added.
He was sentenced to a community order with a supervision requirement for 18 months and a six month drug rehabilitation order.
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