Thief high on Mamba took cash from OAP’s wallet
HE IS JAILED FOR ‘DESPICABLE’ CRIME
A “despicable” thief high on Mamba stole £40 from a pensioner drinking tea inside McDonald’s in Derby city centre.
James Baker sat in front of his 73-year-old victim inside the restaurant in St Peter’s Street and slipped his wallet off the table.
Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court heard that, when he was challenged, he put the wallet back but two £20 notes were missing.
Police issued an appeal to find the man, putting pictures on social media and Baker was identified by his probation worker.
The court heard that the 39-year-old had failed to attend court when he was due to appear on February 11.
Jailing Barker, John Lawrence, chair of the magistrates’ bench, said: “The nature of these circumstances are despicable. It was committed against a vulnerable victim.
“You are also on pre-sentence supervision and you have had no engagement whatsoever with probation.
“They were there to help and you didn’t take that opportunity. It leaves us with no option, but to send you to immediate custody.”
The court heard the incident took place at McDonald’s, in St Peter’s Street, on December 19.
Lynn Bickley, prosecuting, said: “The victim is a 73-year-old man. He went into McDonald’s and ordered a cup of tea. He sits on some benches with a table, next to the window. Five minutes later, a male he didn’t know sits across from him.
“The victim’s wallet is on the table in front of him, slightly to the left with two £20 notes in it. The male moved the wallet and slides it underneath the table.”
The court heard the victim said straight away “that’s my wallet” and a member of staff came over.
Ms Bickley said the man – Baker – put the wallet back on the table and left. When the elderly man checked the wallet, the £20 notes had gone.
Ms Bickley read out a statement which had been written by the victim, who wrote: “I go to Derby every day so I don’t spend all my days at home. I am very cautious now.”
Following his arrest, Baker made a full admission in his police interview, telling officers he was high on the drug Mamba at the time and stole the money for food. He also wanted to apologise to the victim.
Nick Wenden, mitigating, told the court Baker’s mother had died in July, last year, and he entered a “downward spiral”. He said: “He has mental health problems with paranoid schizophrenia and is supervised in the community by the mental health team.
“He made full admissions. He is ashamed and remorseful about what happened and said he would pay compensation to the victim.”
The probation service report said Baker was deemed at “high risk of serious harm” in the community.
Baker, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to one charge of theft and one charge of failing to surrender to court.
Magistrates jailed him for 18 weeks and ordered him to pay compensation to the victim of £40.