By edd moore herald reporter
A PLYMOUTH man who stole charity cash from a city pub has been jailed for another, meticulously planned theft.
Recovering heroin addict Benjamin Stacey went into a Barbican gift shop, reached up to the CCTV camera and turned it to face away from the till, Plymouth magistrates were told.
The 28-year-old then returned the following day and snatched a money tin from beneath the counter while his girlfriend distracted staff.
Stacey, from Stonehouse, was in the dock yesterday after admitting one count of theft.
The court heard how the unemployed decorator had first ventured inside the Dragon Corner Oriental Gift Shop, in Southside Street on July 10, and turned the camera 45 degrees to the left. He came back with partner Katie McLoughlin at around 11.30am the next day and she persuaded the lone shop assistant to climb a ladder so she could take a closer look at an item that was on display.
While they talked Stacey, of Manor Street, reached under the till and grabbed a box containing around £180 in cash and electricity meter cards worth about £90, the court heard — but despite having moved the camera, he was captured on tape.
Bob Stebbings, for Stacey, said he had been recalled to prison after being arrested while on licence, spending 28 days inside.
"He had a pretty serious session of thinking while in custody," Mr Stebbings added.
"He has finally come to the realisation, after a fairly lengthy criminal career, that something has to change."
Stacey, who had a long-term heroin problem, was now attending the Harbour Centre, and had secured a methadone and diazepam script, the court heard.
McLoughlin, also aged 28 and of Manor Street, appeared separately to admit the joint charge and was granted conditional bail ahead of sentencing on October 14. The Crown Prosecution Service agreed to take the charity cash theft offence into consideration.
The court was told how the couple had gone into the Minerva Inn in Bretonside where Stacey had dropped a collection tin, thought to contain around £250, into McLoughlin's handbag.
Both admitted the offence when interviewed by police.
Jailing Stacey for four months, magistrates said the theft had a degree of planning and related to money that was due to charity.
They also ordered him to pay £270 in compensation.
Source: http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk
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