Yahoo News Newcastle cigarette burglar tells court he's 'content' with homeless lifestyle after being caught with drugs
A cigarette burglar told a court he was "content" with his homeless lifestyle while appearing in the dock for having drugs.
As previously reported on ChronicleLive last month, Tony Ash was captured on CCTV sneaking behind the counter of a Tyneside petrol station while the shop assistant was distracted and helping himself to packets of cigarettes. However, the 32-year-old, formerly from Heaton, was back at the same court this week after he was arrested for being in possession of Pregabalin.
The crook, who has 100 offences on his record, failed to show for an earlier hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was detained and appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court in custody to plead guilty to possession of a class C drug.
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James Long, prosecuting, said Ash was known to the police for drug-related offences and was stopped and searched on Grey Street, in Newcastle city centre, on June 17 this year. He was found to be carrying the Pregabalin.
Lee Poppet, defending, said Ash was a Spice user but had struggled to get his hands on any, so had Pregabalin instead. Mr Poppet added: "He's street homeless and is content with his lifestyle. He was given a six-month conditional discharge for the garage burglary last month."
Giving him another six-month conditional discharge, District Judge Kate Meek said: "This is it - you have to start afresh now. If you don't, you're going to find yourself back in prison."
