In the courts
A THIEF who stole five charity boxes in Coventry is now behind bars.
Stephen O’Neill’s actions were described as “nasty offence” as magistrates sent him to prison for 16 weeks.
The 37-year-old, of Blakewood Close, Shard End, Birmingham, had pleaded guilty to stealing the charity boxes which belonged to the Haemophilia Society, The Air Ambulance Fund, Seva Care, The Myton Hospices and Suki’s Canine Rescue.
He also admitted stealing two boxes of Lindor chocolates from One Stop and committing an offence while subject to a community order for shoplifting.
All of O’Neill’s offences were committed in January and February this year and, on top of his prison sentence, he was ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge.
Other cases heard at Coventry Magistrates’ Court from February 15 to 21, included:
32, Chelsey Road, Henley Green, was found guilty of intimidating a witness involved in legal proceedings, two counts of assault by beating and sending a sexually explicit picture which was of indecent or grossly offensive nature. He was sent to prison for 16 weeks concurrent to his existing sentence and handed a restraining order.
37, of Adelaide Street, Hillfields, admitted causing to a bathroom door and throwing food over the walls at the Salvation Army, possession of amphetamine and failing to answer bail. He was given 60 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 compensation and £70 court costs.
45, of Hipswell Highway, Wyken, admitted drink-driving (breath 103, limit 35) in Roseberry Avenue, driving without due care and attention, driving a vehicle when its condition (severe front end damage) caused a danger to other road users and driving a vehicle without a valid test certificate. He was given 150 hours unpaid work, banned from driving for 23 months and ordered to pay £135 court costs and a £85 victim surcharge.
24, of Keenan Drive, Bedworth, admitted driving while disqualified, failing to stop at scene of an accident and driving without insurance. He was sent to prison for 18 weeks, banned from driving for 29 months and ordered to pay £135 court costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
57, of no fixed address, was found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and racially aggravated assault. He was sen to prison for 20 weeks and ordered to pay £115 compensation.
26, of Robin Hood Road, Willenhall, was found guilty of having a machete in a public place. He was handed a sixmonth prison sentence suspended for 18 months, given 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £385 court costs and a £115 victim surcharge.