Worksop man's plea for prison granted after £18 theft

A Worksop man who asked to be jailed for an £18 theft from Poundworld so he can sort his life out and tackle his boozing, has had his wish granted.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.Mansfield Magistrates Court.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.

Tony Matkin stole stole washing powder and liquid from the store on Bridge Street, on January 29, putting him in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in February last year.

Matkin, 29, of Park Street, admitted the theft on March 14, and was sentenced at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on Wednesday.

Sarah Neale, mitigating, said: “Unfortunately he feels that things are slipping away from him. He struggles with the alcohol he is drinking and he has not got proper accommodation.

“He is asking the court to activate the suspended sentence. He feels a spell in custody will be able to sort him out and stop him drinking alcohol.

“Rather unusually I am not going to dissuade you from activating the suspended sentence. He simply asks for a short custodial sentence.

“He wants to come out with a clean slate.”

She added that he has the offer of a new home in July.

District judge Jonathan Taaffe told him: “I can’t find it unjust to look at the suspended sentence and say it should not be activated.”

Matkin was sentenced to eight weeks for the breach, plus four weeks for the theft, and two weeks to clear outstanding financial matters, to run consecutively. He must also pay a government surcharge of £115.

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