Jail for Belfast heroin user who stole toys and perfume to pay off drug debts

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard James Bowers carried out a further raid on a store within days of receiving a suspended sentence.

The 30-year-old, of Witham Street in the east of the city, pleaded guilty to two further counts of theft and burglary of a non-dwelling.

Bowers targeted Savers in the Connswater Shopping Centre on May 28 this year, taking aftershave valued at £49.99.

He was arrested after being identified on CCTV cameras.

He also stole a £55 Lego Avengers box set from MK Toys on the Belmont Road on August 14.

In a third incident, he went into the nearby Dundela Pharmacy on October 10 and stole a perfume set valued at £59.

District Judge Peter Magill was told Bowers has a heroin habit.

Defence barrister Richard McConkey said: “The thefts were done on the basis (the goods) are sold on to pay for drugs and drug debts.”

Bowers has now cleared what he owed, according to counsel.

But Mr Magill pointed out that the defendant was in breach of 10 previously suspended sentences - most of which were only imposed on October 1.

He told Bowers: “Here you are on October 10 simply ignoring this and committing a further offence of a similar nature.

“You clearly have a problem, and it appears you say yourself that problem is with heroin.

“That would explain this behaviour, but it does not excuse this behaviour.”

With the defendant also in breach of probation orders, the judge imposed six months imprisonment for the new offences and ordered him to serve a further six months for the previously suspended terms.

Bowers was granted bail pending an appeal against the sentence imposed.