A drug addict stole meat worth £200 to fund a trip to see his dying father, a court heard.
Homeless James Cross loaded a trolley at Asda in Colchester with the frozen food and left without paying.
He was jailed for four months after admitting the offence and telling magistrates he would not comply with the drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) on offer.
Cross, 42, was stopped by staff at the Turner Rise store on December 14 and told police he was trying to get the money together to visit his dying dad.
Russell Haldane, mitigating, said Cross, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, had carried out a "sophisticated theft", but was immediately "candid and co-operative" once caught.
Mr Haldane said Cross, formerly of Hayes Road in Clacton, had managed to cut down on his heroin use.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, February 14, 2005
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article