A homeless man charged with multiple bicycle thefts from across Swindon has been given another chance to change by magistrates.
Jamie Lee Loveridge, of no fixed address, appeared in Swindon Magistrate's Court on Thursday, November 14, charged with four counts of theft and one count of criminal damage.
The man, who is currently homeless, pleaded guilty to stealing three bicycles, one of which cost over £1,300, stealing almost £200 worth of meat products from Co-op on Groundwell Road, and to tearing a police blanket in half.
"The facts of the case are quite simple really - he just goes out nicking bicycles and isn’t stopping," said prosecutor Mr Power.
“He has a variety of convictions to his name. He was in only recently in October for shoplifting.
“Mr Loveridge went down for robbery in 2017, and the significance of his recent crimes is notable to those who rely on their bicycles to get around every day.
“He is also in breach of a conditional discharge.”
But according to defence lawyer Emma Hillier, Loveridge's offending stems back to his chaotic lifestyle.
The defendant, who has complex needs and is partially deaf, has been street homeless and living in car parks after having to leave The Haven (a night shelter) due to issues that were not his fault.
“The thefts are Mr Loveridge trying to survive," she told the court.
“The issues seem to be around relapsing into drug and alcohol problems because of the chaotic lifestyle he is currently living.
She added: “Since going to prison in 2017 for robbery, he has had no intervention from the probation service.
"He would benefit from the intervention greatly."
In relation to the criminal damage charge where Loveridge had ripped a police blanket in half, his defence lawyer explained that he had asked for and been denied an extra blanket to put around the plastic pillow provided for him in custody.
He therefore chose to rip the one he had in half.
Noting the lack of rehabilitative measures put in place for Loveridge in the past, Chair of the Magistrate's Bench Natalie O'Connell has offered the man one last chance.
Loveridge was sentenced to an eight-week prison sentence but suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve the sentence unless he reoffends within the next two years.
He must also attend 25 rehabilitation activity days.
“We’re not awarding any more compensation or a surcharge because you already owe enough to the court," she added.
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