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Addict who stole from charity told he must payback

Wed, 05 Aug 2015

A "mean-spirited" thief who stole from charity to fund his heroin addiction has been told he must work with one of the charities affected as payback.

27-year-old Kristopher Coward was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse yesterday after previously pleading guilty to three counts of theft.

The Douglas man stole a charity collection box destined for Barnardos, on May 31st, and boxes for the Hyperbaric Chamber and the Isle of Man Breast Cancer Unit Appeal the following day. 

His advocate told the court he'd struggled with heroin addiction for nine years and despite being on a methadone programme had taken the decision to "top up" by buying it off the streets.

She said he now wanted to get back to living a "clean life" telling the court "I believe you can trust him and give him a chance".

Sentencing him Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said he should feel "remorse and shame" for his actions - she placed him under a 12 month probation order and ordered him to pay costs of £125 and compensation of £70.

Coward was also ordered to carry out an 18-hour reparation order which is being facilitated by Barnardos and two other local charities - he must meet with the charities and complete any tasks set for him.

 

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