A heroin addict who told magistrates he was tired of living a criminal lifestyle has vowed to change after appearing in court for yet another string of offences of shoplifting and threatening behaviour.

Billy Terence Chapman was caught on CCTV a number of times helping himself to grocery items from a Yeovil convenience store to sell for his next fix.

On another occasion he joined his accomplice and became abusive to a shop worker when he tried to challenge them.

When he was brought before Somerset Magistrates in custody they were told that he had been a heroin user for many years but now wanted to go through a detox programme and kick his habit.

Chapman, 38, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the theft of a quantity of coffee worth £79 from Co-op in Yeovil on December 31 and the joint theft of meat products from the same store on February 26.

He also admitted going to the store on March 9 with another male and stealing £15 worth of coffee and then used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress to Andrew Shotten.

The case was heard at Yeovil Magistrates' Court, Somerset
The case was heard at Yeovil Magistrates' Court, Somerset

He also admitted the theft of dog grooming products from Pets At Home on Babylon Hill in Yeovil on October 6 last year, failing to surrender to bail and being in breach of two conditional discharges also imposed for multiple counts of shoplifting.

Prosecutor Ben Winzer said that Chapman was caught on CCTV during the thefts on December 31 and February 26 at the Co-op where he selected coffee and meat products and then left without paying.

On March 9 he went with another male, Shane Abbot, to the Co-op when they were approached by Mr Shotten who was a member of staff.

“He told them to leave the premises because they had both been previously banned but Mr Abbot began swearing at him and said he had a knife in his hand and was going to use it,” he said.

“Abbot punched the victim to the chin and was escorted out into the car park and Chapman then became involved and said ‘We will be back next week”.

On another occasion he attended Pets At Home on Babylon Hill and selected a quantity of dog grooming products but he was spotted by a store detective who challenged him.

Chapman then ran off into Yeovil where a police officer gave chase on foot and the goods were recovered.

The court was told that the defendant was also in breach of two conditional discharges imposed by the courts last year in relation to a total of seven matters of shoplifting.

Defending solicitor Sam Morton said that Chapman was now 38 and knew his life was currently going nowhere.

“He is tired of his lifestyle and this revolving door to prison which he seems to be in,” he said.

“He did not appear in court for the first time until his mid 20s and then had a period of abstinence after he rehabilitated himself from heroin and found work.

“Sadly he has gone back to drug use again and knows he needs help. He now wants to go through an intensive detox programme and be put on a methadone prescription.”

Probation officer Rebecca Cross said that Chapman had been a heroin user on and off for years and when he was released from prison last year had no accommodation and also struggled with setting up his benefits claim.

“Along with his drug use he quickly fell back into stealing to fund his addiction and lifestyle,” she said.

She said he was currently using between £10 and £20 of heroin per day and had now self-referred to the Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Service (SDAS) and was due an assessment with them shortly.

The magistrates told the defendant they were “very heartened” to hear that he wanted to make a change to his life and sentenced him to a 12 month community order.

During that time he must undertake a 25 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and also complete a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement. He was also ordered to pay £214 compensation to Co-op and £85 costs.

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