A HEROIN addict avoided jail despite stealing six paving slabs to install a pathway for a customer.
Paul Raymond, of Rose Avenue, had been paid £60 by a woman to complete the job for her, but he spent the money on the Class A drug instead, Worcester Magistrates Court heard last Friday (June 13).
On March 10, about 12midday, the 33-year-old, who is on a suspended sentence and a 12-month period of supervision, was seen pulling up £96 worth of slabs and putting them in his trailer.
Raymond was arrested for the offence and fully admitted it in interview.
He was given a four-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and handed a six-week curfew from 7pm to 7am which started last Friday.
The court also heard how Raymond has been using heroin since the age of 18 and spends £60 a day on it.
Defending solicitor David Olivere said: “It’s fair to say he has received the full spectrum of sentences available to the court, including custody.
“Sadly, his heroin use has been the bane of his life.
“He fully understands you could activate his sentence today if you feel it just to do so but the order is going well and the offending simply relates to an addiction.”
Raymond’s period of supervision was increased from 12 months to 18 months and he was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and an £80 victim surcharge by District Judge Nigel Cadbury.
District Judge Cadbury said: “I don’t think you will get away with this again if you commit another offence, because these orders don’t mean much if you can continually get away with minor offending.”
Nexus Housing Worcester, who own the slabs, are restoring the pavement.
