Man with learning difficulties loses JSA and steals to feed himself.

[Darkesteyes]

www.shieldsgazette.com/news/crime/thief-has-1-5k-in-unpaid-fines-1-5145321#.UKqNs2SQi7s.twitter

[Darkesteyes]

Christopher Brooks was given an absolute discharge at South Tyneside Magistrates? Court, after pleading guilty to stealing £12 worth of meat from Asda in Station Road, Hebburn.

The 50-year-old was also ordered to repay the £12 to the store.

Brooks, of Westmorland Court, Hebburn, had entered the store with an empty carrier bag on Friday, October 26, and took a piece of beef and a piece of lamb on display, then left the store without paying.

He jumped on a Metro train to Jarrow and sold the meat. Brooks was captured on CCTV carrying out the offence, and was later arrested by police.

The court heard that Brooks used the cash from the meat to feed himself, as he had missed a week of Jobseeker?s Allowance due to a mix-up over the date of a meeting about his benefits.

Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said: ?He was relying on soup kitchens for food.

?He saw the lump of beef and piece of lamb and put them on the floor near some boxes.

?He then left with them without paying. He knew what he did was wrong.?

David Forrester, defending, told the court: ?Christopher is a vulnerable adult with learning difficulties

Copied and pasted from the article.
Cant help wondering whether or not this is one of the stores that use workfare.
Stealing is wrong but i can see why he was driven to it.

[2old2beamum]

Yes stealing is wrong but what else could he do. Perhaps the powers that be hoped he would die of starvation, one less person for this cruel government to support

[Darkesteyes]

Agree 2old Its appalling that it got that far but i bet its not the only case and that there will be many more.

[threesocksmorgan]

poor bloke, he should be getting help and support, he shouldn't have to steal.
god help people like him, cos this government won't.

[ripsishere]

That is dreadful. Of course theft is wrong, but how else was he to have fed himself.
I despair sometimes, I really do.

[lisad123]

You fail to mention the £1500 he already owes in court fees for his previous convictions. Clearly he is in need of help and support but he has a history of being in trouble in the past and so doubt it's as simple as you suggest OP.

[Darkesteyes]

I didnt fail to mention it. its in the original link.

[Cozy9]

What were his excuses for his previous crimes? Sorry but he sounds like a feckless wastrel.

[picketywick]

Yes, if you lose Jobseekers and its all youve got. Well, desperation must set in

[AmberLeaf]

Feckless wastrel?

He is one of the many currently falling through the cracks.

Adults with learning disabilities don't get the support they need.

Many are treated the same as any other able minded JSA claimant.

[threesocksmorgan]

I see that some people didn't read that he has LD's