PENSIONER’S PURSE STOLEN AS SHE SMOKED
A 72 year old pensioner went outside a café to smoke and was approached by a man who stole her purse, court heard.
Lincoln magistrates were told the woman had collected her pension, paid some bills, and then did a bit a shopping before stopping for a cup of tea at Gainsborough‘s Pickle‘s Pantry and taking it outside so she could have a cigarette.
Jim Clare, prosecuting, said she was approached by Alan Forest and another man who asked her for a light before sitting at her table.
“One male left and Forest crouched down beside her,“ Mr Clare said.
“She could smell alcohol on his breath. After a couple of minutes, he put his hand forward next to her bag. The woman thought he was after her purse and so she lifted it up onto the table.
“She then said she was going for the bus. Forest told her he was going to have her purse. He put his hand inside her bag and took it leaving her shocked at what he had done.”
The court was told that Forest ran off but two witnesses were able to identify him and he was later arrested.
Forest (49) of Clinton Terrace, Gainsborough, admitted theft of the purse and it’s contents including £70 cash on August 28.
A letter from his carer was handed to the bench.
Magistrates were told he does have learning difficulties and some mental health problems. He had been drinking on the day of the offence and was put up to it by another person.
The case was adjourned for the preparation of reports for sentencing on October 9.
MAN HAD NO MEMORY OF DAMAGE
Angry Kane Dean Shucksmith smashed up his bathroom and damaged a car after a row with his girlfriend, a court heard.
Lincoln magistrates were told the defendant had drunk four cans of cider and he had taken 14 diazepam tablets and so he had no memory of the incident which ended with him chasing his girlfriend around a parked car.
Jim Clare, prosecuting, said Shucksmith started being aggressive as he walked home with the girl.
“The argument got very heated. The girl sustained injury and went to the bathroom.
“Shucksmith followed and suddenly started throwing punches at the bathroom shelf and then the mirror which shattered into tiny pieces.
“The girl left the address and hid behind a Mitsubishi vehicle. Shucksmith chased her around the car which he said he would smash.
“He approached the front side passenger door and started to kick the wing mirror but he was so drunk, he kept missing. He eventually managed to smash the wing mirror off the front driver’s side. He then jumped onto the vehicle and ran to try and grab his girlfriend but he fell face down on the floor. Police then came on scene.”
Shucksmith (20) of Vine Street, Lincoln, admitted causing criminal damage on August 27.
Bill Miller, representing, said Shucksmith had put right the damage to his rented flat and he had tried to contact the owner of the vehicle to make reparation.
“He has no memory of anything except waking up in a police cell,” Mr Miller said.
Magistrates called him an idiot and imposed 80 hours of unpaid work. They also ordered him to pay £75 compensation and £50 costs.
NO BURGER LED TO DAMAGED DOOR
Frustrated Brian Green kicked the door of a fast food restaurant because it was closed when he wanted a burger, a court heard.
Lincoln magistrates were told that staff found the glass panel in the door at McDonald’s on Tritton Road broken when they arrived for work. CCTV was reviewed and Green was recognised.
Jim Clare, prosecuting, said footage showed that Green had approached with a female at 1.14am on August 29.
“On finding he could not gain entry, he kicked the door causing the damage. The female pulled him away,” Mr Clare said.
Green (24) of Shannon Close, Lincoln, admitted causing criminal damage on August 29.
Green told the court that he had not intended to cause damage, he had just been reckless.
“I was just frustrated but my actions were out of order,” he said.
Magistrates said he would find it was the most expensive burger he never had and ordered him to pay a total of £415 in fine, costs, compensation and surcharge.
WOMAN ATTACKED IN LOCAL PUB AFTER FALL OUT
A woman became embroiled in trouble after two of her friends fell out, a court heard.
Lincoln magistrates were told that the complainant knew something was wrong with Pamela Elizabeth Ella Stafford as soon as their eyes met in the local pub.
Jim Clare, prosecuting, said Stafford stared at the woman who had been having some problems with Stafford’s friend.
“The defendant started shouting at the complainant and the next thing she knew, Stafford was swinging several punches at her in quick succession,” Mr Clare said.
“Several customers tried to restrain her. The complainant fell as she was punched and hit her head on a decorative wooden ledge.
“She tried to avoid more trouble by going to the toilet but Stafford was waiting for her and lunged at her when she came out, holding her up against a fruit machine.”
Stafford (41) of Beckett Avenue, Gainsborough, admitted assault on June 28.
Tony Cunningham, representing, said Stafford thought the victim had taken umbrage at Stafford’s friendship with the woman the complainant was in dispute with.
“She had told both women to leave her out of their problems and when she saw the complainant in the pub, the woman was aggressive but the defendant admits she was the one who threw the first punch.”
Magistrates conditionally discharged her for two years and ordered her to pay £75 compensation and £85 costs.