Wigan drug addict with more than 50 convictions stole steak from M&S

Gary Marsh, 44, was caught by police officers after coming out of the shop, on Robin Retail Park, Wigan, with a bag full of seven rump steaks.

The on-duty officers had seen two men walking towards Marks and Spencer, and it was while they were getting out of their vehicle that they saw Marsh walking out of the shop with a bag.

They asked him what was in the bag and if he had stolen it and he admitted to taking the steaks, valued at £40.78.

The items were recovered following the incident on January 25.

Jonathan Chappell, who it is believed Marsh was with, failed to show up at court and stands accused of stealing meat products from Marks and Spencer worth £47.

Appearing before justices at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Cout, Marsh, of Kitt Green Road, Wigan, admitted to a charge of theft from a shop.

Ann Deakin, prosecuting, said Marsh had 51 previous convictions for 130 offences.

Defending, Graham Simpson told the bench that his clienthad been addicted to Class A drugs for around 30 years.

He said: “This started when he was around 15 to 16 year wsold.

“He’s prescribed methadone at 40ml a day and he’s supervised at the chemist.

“But this changes on the weekend and it took the edge off for him.

“He’s got appointments with a doctor to have his levels of methadone reviewed, as this is the root cause of his offences.”

Mr Simpson said Marsh had also had a Schizophrenia diagnosis. He said: “He’s had long-standing problems with mental illness and he’s self-medicated.

“My client is also not in employment and has no realistic prospect of getting it. He is in receipt of ESA and PIP and lives in his own accommodation.

“He has leg ulcers and significant health problems.”

Justices said Marsh had become “very familiar” with the courthouse.

Magistrates’ decided to give Marsh a conditional discharge for two years.

Warning him that jail was likely if he returned to court within two years, justices said, that with his record, that he “might as well bring his tootbrush next time.” He was told that this “can only go on for so long.”

They also ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £21 and court costs of £85.