Heroin addict admits stealing from Mablethorpe store

Paul Anthony Ryan (39), of Stain Lane, Theddlethorpe, was said to have gone to the store on May 16 and stolen three bottles of whisky.

The court heard he returned again on May 20, when he stole a bottle of rum.

On both occasions, he hid the bottles under his jacket.

Marie Stace, prosecuting, said that on the second occasion, the store manager called after Ryan who rode off on his bicycle, shouting abuse at him.

Magistrates were told that Ryan had been given a conditional discharge, also for a shoplifting offence, at a previous hearing on June 28.

Mitigating, Asad Aziz said Ryan had ‘an unenviable record’ and was ‘not unaccustomed’ to the courts but ‘was trying his best’.

He said Ryan was a long time heroin addict and was finding it almost impossible to abstain, even though he was voluntarily attending ‘Addaction’, the drugs and alcohol dependency service.

Ryan was fined £40 and ordered to pay costs and charges of £70.

Magistrates said the conditional discharge would continue.