Homeless man from Skegness stole charity box to feed his dog

Christopher Batley, now living in Alexandra Road, admitted the theft when he appeared at Boston Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecuting, Marie Stace said Batley went into the Co-op in Horncastle at 6.09pm on November 8 and asked staff for water for the dog.

He was seen on cctv putting the box into his jacket while they were getting the water.

He was tracked through town centre cctv cameras, to his car, in which he was sleeping, and was arrested later, said Ms Stace.

Batley told police he had no money and needed to buy food for himself and his dog.

The court was told he had already appeared in court for a similar offence committed just two days before when he also stole a charity box and Philippa Chatterton, mitigating, said Batley should really have been dealt then for this offence.

She said he had been driving around, sleeping in his car, and had been left with no money and no prescription for his anxiety and, out of desperation, he took the charity box.

She said he was more than willing to pay compensation and he had now got himself a place in a hostel and was getting support.

The magistrates imposed a stand alone compensation order for Batley to pay £100 to the Royal British Legion.