A homeless Newport man has been ordered to pay a £22 fine and complete rehabilitation requirements after stealing wine from a local Tesco store.
Lawson Evans, 48, of no fixed abode, was caught on CCTV taking wine from the Tesco on Cambrian Road in the Welsh city.
The theft was heard at Newport Magistrates’ Court yesterday, where Evans was instructed to complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days with probation services.
The court proceedings revealed Evans had committed the theft in an attempt to cope with stress after his mobile phone was stolen.
The court proceedings revealed Evans had committed the theft in an attempt to cope with stress after his mobile phone was stolen
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As a result of being homeless, Evans has been suffering from pneumonia and, consequently, required hospitalisation.
The court heard that Evans is dependent on alcohol but has previously declined assistance from alcohol support services, saying these interventions “had not worked for him before”.
He has also been identified as an alcoholic and is “dependent” on drinking, although he does not wish to work with alcohol services as “it has not worked for him before”.
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The theft occurred while Evans was already banned from entering the nearby Friars Walk area due to what was described as his “poor record.”
Despite these challenges, probation services have stepped in to provide Evans with temporary accommodation and a replacement mobile phone.
The judge decided against handing Evans a jail sentence even though he has a number of previous convictions.
Probation services have already taken steps to improve Evans’ situation through temporary housing and the provision of a new phone
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Instead, she mandated that Evans complete 10 rehabilitation days over the next six months.
Probation services have already taken steps to improve Evans’ situation through temporary housing and the provision of a new phone.
Before releasing Evans from the dock, Judge Toms said: “Good luck to you, Mr Evans.”
