Dope-using thief has now given up - court

5:59am Sunday 22nd June 2008

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A MAN who stole a Sony PSP has been given a community order.

Steven Priddey, of Windermere Drive, Worcester, was sentenced at Worcester Magistrates Court .

The court heard Priddey, 22, was earlier convicted of stealing the gaming console from Cash Concepts in Worcester on Wednesday, March 14.

Gemma Goode, prosecuting, said store manager Richard Shurmer had noticed the item missing and, when he checked CCTV, saw Priddey take it out of a cabinet and conceal it in the waistband of his trousers.

During a police interview, Priddey told officers he had previously provided Mr Shurmer with cannabis and, in return, been given permission to take items from the store.

The court heard Mr Shurmer admitted he had bought cannabis from Priddey on two occasions but denied giving him permission to take the Sony PSP. He later received an informal police warning.

Priddey admitted offering to supply cannabis between Monday, January 22, and Thursday, February 15, 2007.

Mark Sheward, defending, said Priddey maintained Mr Shurmer had given him permission to take the Sony PSP but he accepted he was guilty of theft after he discovered Mr Shurmur was not the owner of the shop.

Mr Sheward said Priddey had realised using cannabis affected his ability to think clearly and had given up the drug.

Magistrates ordered for him to be supervised by the probation service for 12 months and ordered him to pay £450 costs and £65 compensation.