A MAN who stole to supplement his meagre income has appeared in court.
Michael Folan, 60, was before Huddersfield Magistrates Court yesterday.
He admitting stealing from the town’s Poundland store on July 30 this year.
Magistrates heard how Folan, of Huddersfield Hotel, Kirkgate, entered the discount retailer and placed a bottle of shampoo and fly killer inside his jacket.
He then left the store without paying and was confronted by a security officer outside.
Folan then dropped the bottles – worth a total of £2 – on to the pavement and left.
When interviewed by police he admitted intending to steal the items.
Magistrates were told that Folan had over 60 convictions for offences including theft and dishonesty.
Jonathan Slawinski, defending, said that his client had frequently been before the court but the seriousness of his offences had been decreasing.
He explained that his client received a pension and had little money to survive on.
Mr Slawinski said: “I asked my client to sum up why he did this.
“He told me: ‘It’s my way of surviving. I don’t go round robbing houses and people, I just try to get some bits and bats when I run out of money.’’
Mr Slawinski added: “It’s a sad state of affairs to see these matters before the courts.
“He’s come before the court for some very petty minor offences. One incident was when he took a packet of Jammie Dodgers.”
Magistrates gave Folan a conditional discharge for 12 months.
