A former class A drug user has been left with a three-figure court bill after a 'small blip' proved to be a 'costly episode'. Rebecca Hinton, 44, of Eagle Close, Dudley, appeared at Dudley Magistrates' Court after stealing from two stores in the area on April 25.
Incident at Sainsbury's Local
At around 8.30pm, Hinton entered the Sainsbury's Local store in Louise Street, Lower Gornal, accompanied by two other individuals. The court heard that a 'large quantity' of meat products was taken from the shelves and placed into a bag. When the store manager, who was wearing a body-worn camera, approached the group, Hinton pushed him and left the store with an estimated £300-£400 worth of items.
Second theft at One Stop
Approximately half an hour later, Hinton and others entered the One Stop store in Coseley, where they stole items including chocolate and alcohol, valued at £226.50. Hinton pleaded guilty to two theft offences and also admitted assault by beating.
Mitigation and background
In mitigation, the court was told that Hinton was 'trying to stop herself being filmed' rather than intending to cause injury to the store manager. At the time of the offences, Hinton was using crack cocaine but 'quickly realised this was getting out of hand'. She sought help and was now 'clean from class A substances'.
Sentence and magistrate's remarks
Hinton was handed a £120 fine and ordered to pay £85 court costs and £150 compensation, totalling £355. A magistrate told Hinton she was 'on the road to recovery' and said: "This was a costly episode. I hope we don't see you here again. This was a small blip. It's always sad when we see someone regressing, sort it out and move on with your life."
