A shoplifter who shoved a Tesco security guard to the ground while stealing a packet of sweets has told magistrates he was trying to save his friend’s life.
Lewis Armitage, who already had 63 offences on his record, including eight thefts, entered the Tesco Express on Granby Street in Leicester city centre on Saturday night (January 17).
He was stopped during the theft and arrested. After two nights in custody he appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court today (Monday, January 19) and pleaded guilty to assault by beating and shop theft.
The 38-year-old defendant was represented in court by Perminder Bassi, who told the magistrates: “He saw a friend who he believed was a diabetic and going into a hypoglycemic state.
“So he went into the store to get some sugar to save his friend’s life.
“He said it was only one pack of sweets and all items were recovered.
“He couldn’t recall it exactly but he said there was never any intention to harm [the security guard].”
There was no mention of what happened to the diabetes sufferer.
Mr Bassi said his client, who had only been released from jail on December 4 after serving a term for affray and attacking two emergency workers, had now been recalled by the Probation Service to serve another two weeks behind bars.
Armitage, of no fixed address, interrupted the hearing from the dock to ask for longer in prison than two weeks.
He told the magistrates: “I need to be in there for at least 28 days – 14 days is setting me up to fail.”
Mr Bassi said his client had Asperger’s syndrome, had suffered mental health problems since childhood and felt that he had been let down by the Probation Service.
The magistrates jailed Armitage for two weeks from today and ordered him to pay £50 compensation to the security guard.
Source – Leicestershire live