A MAN who smoked legal highs went on to steal a purse from a college office, a court has heard.
Paul Standen, of St Paul’s Hostel in Tallow Hill, took the Ted Baker item, which contained £40, from the Archway Academy in Birmingham on May 20.
The victim went into the office about 3pm and checked her handbag to find the £100 purse was missing, Worcester Magistrates Court heard last Friday (May 30).
Officers attended and viewed CCTV which confirmed Standen broke into the room before taking the valuables.
The 45-year-old, who was a witness in the murder trial of Adrian Locke, was arrested and in interview said he couldn’t remember committing the crime after he smoked the legal highs in the morning, the court also heard.
Standen, who was sent to prison in January, was handed a community order for 12 months, with 12 months supervision, and the requirements to engage with the Integrated Offender Management team and complete a nine-month Drug Rehabilitation Requirement.
Rob Macrory, defending solicitor, said: “He’s had a pretty rough time of it.
“Since the Adrian Locke murder trial he has received a lot of threats and has since been extremely depressed.”
He was also ordered to pay £140 compensation and a £60 victim surcharge.
