Highbury Corner Magistrates Court building. Credit: Maria Laguna De Los Reyes
A man was found guilty of several charges of stealing
By Aliyah Difia Rahma
A 44-year-old man pleaded guilty today at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court to stealing toys and board games on two different occasions.
Paul Steadman, who currently resides in Argyle Square, near King’s Cross, was arrested yesterday after being accused of stealing board games at Waterstones in Camden.
The goods that Steadman stole was worth more around £106, and have since been returned to the store.
Steadman was also in court for another stealing charge from 30th October 2024, where he was accused of stealing toys in the Camden area. The goods was worth over £300, but was not able to be returned.
Steadman got a suspended charge on the 9th of February 2024, which means that his latest crimes are in breach of that suspended charge, to which he also admitted.
The prosecutor told the judges that Steadman had a history of stealing prior to his latest crime, to which he suggested the probation to address the rehabilitation aspect of the case.
The prosecutor also said that Steadman had a history of drug addiction.
The probation team said that Steadman was due to complete a drug rehabilitation requirement, but that he missed 16 of the appointments.
Steadman’s defense solicitor asked the judges to consider a deferred sentence for the months, to observe the behaviour of Steadman before giving him his final sentence.
Judges sentencing Steadman activated his suspended sentence to serve six weeks in prison. He is also due to pay £80 to Waterstones in Camden for compensation, by 31st July 2025.
Steadman is no longer able to work with probation to address his drug addiction issue as the judge feels that there is no longer anything that they could do to help him.
According to his defense solicitor, Steadman led a stable lifestyle and was self-employed before turning to drugs. He was also homeless for some time, before securing his accommodation in Argyle Square.
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