Desperate Mansfield drug addict given another chance

Mansfield magistrates have given a desperate town drug addict who stole clothes while on bail for another offence a second chance.

The Mansfield court was told how Charlene Kerr (35), of Babworth Court, stole women’s underwear and a waterproof jacket worth £8 from Primark.

Robert Carr, prosecuting, said Kerr was seen on CCTV paying for one item but not the other and attempting to leave the premises.

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When interviewed by police Kerr admitted the theft and that she paid for an item costing £1 but not the other.

Mark Stocks, defending, said Kerr’s problems had worsened when she returned to Mansfield from a probation hostal.

Part of her bail conditions were not to associate with a certain individual and she resorted to stealing in order to avoid breaching bail by attending his address to retrieve her clothes.

He added: “It is unfortunate because if she had let me know I could have contacted the police and arranged to have the clothes collected.

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“The offence was not the most serious or sophisticated and she only has one offence for theft on her record.”

A probation officer told magistrates: “Things went wrong when she had a change address. There were other drug users in the new property who were using. It is whether you decide to give her another chance.”

A magistrate said: “ Because of your early guilty plea and circumstances probation are willing to work with you.

“You need to get out of this spiral. You have a long life ahead of you. Try and make it a good one.”

Kerr was fined £80 and made to pay a £20 victim surcharge.

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