Worcester thief Stephen Grant fined by magistrates

Stephen Grant, of St Wulfstan's Court, Worcester, appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday (August 11) to be sentenced for a number of offences committed earlier this year.

THIEF: Stephen Grant. Picture: West Mercia Police

Remus Mihailescu, prosecuting, went through the charges that Grant had admitted including three for fraud by false representation, one for refusing to provide a sample for a class A drug test, and another for the theft of a bike.

Magistrates heard the fraud offences were committed when Grant used a stolen bank card to buy lottery products, alcohol, tobacco, and food at Worcester shops on April 24.

The prosecutor said after being arrested for another matter on April 28, and while at Worcester Police Station, police suspected Grant had taken a Class A drug. 

The 28-year-old refused to provide a sample leading to him committing the refusal offence. 

Magistrates heard the bike theft, which took place in Worcester on January 30, also put him in breach of a suspended sentence.

Stephen Grant had been in grip of drug addiction for many years, court hears

Nick Roberts, defending, said Grant's offending was linked to drug addiction which he had been in the grip of for many years. 

"He has been homeless, recently for five years," Mr Roberts said.

"He has been in the cycle of drug abuse - it is only now he got out of the cycle."

Mr Roberts said his client now had accommodation and had voluntarily been getting help from drug recovery service Cranstoun.

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Mr Roberts said instead of activating the suspended sentence he was appealing for magistrates to follow the probation service's recommendation that Grant be given a community order.

The solicitor added if the order included a requirement for drug rehabilitation work that would "formalise" the efforts Grant had already made.

MAGISTRATES: Stephen Grant appeared before magistrates at Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Newsquest)

Magistrates left the courtroom and after 20 minutes of deliberation, chairman of the magistrates bench Susan Kitchener returned to tell Grant they had decided not to activate the suspended sentence.

"A lot of work has gone into supporting you," the chairman said.

"We don't want to destroy that. We are going to give you a chance."

Grant was given an 18-month community order including 35 rehabilitation activity days, and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement. 

Grant was also fined £40 and told to pay £95 victim surcharge. 

We have previously reported on Grant for offences including child abduction, assaulting his girlfriend, and stealing a leaf blower from Worcester Cathedral.