Last updated at 17:08, Wednesday, 11 July 2012

A RECOVERING heroin addict stole his young nephew’s hand-held games console and pawned it, a court heard.

David Lee James, 38, was staying in Barrow with his sister and brother-in-law when he took their son’s Nintendo DS and charger whilepacking to leave.

Ms Judith Knott, prosecuting, told Furness Magistrates’ Court that the couple realised their son’s items were missing but had no idea where they had gone.

On June 20 they were surprised to receive a letter from Cash Generator in Barrow, to say the buy-back option on the hand-held console was due to expire.

They made enquiries and found out the letter had been sent to them because James had been in the Dalton Road shop with the goods and sold them for £25 under a buy-back scheme.

The matter was reported to police and when James was arrested police found he was in possession of a bus pass under someone else’ s name.

During police interview, James admitted taking the Nintendo DS and charger, and said he had also taken a bank statement from the house to allow him to complete the transaction.

He told officers he sold it on the buy-back option because it was his intention to pay it back, but was unable to find the necessary money.

He said he found the bus pass at the home of a friend who already had a replacement, so took it and used it for around five weeks because he was short of money.

Mr Mike Graham, defending, told the court: “On the spur of the moment, he took the Nintendo item and, in essence, pawned it.

“The sale of the item would’ve raised more money, but the buy-back option gave him £25.

“He was intending to buy it back and replace it.”

Mr Graham said the bus pass theft was “opportunistic”.

He said James has deep vein thrombosis, suffers with his mobility and has some mental health issues.

He is prescribed diazepam and methadone, but his dosage is being reduced.

James, of Greenhill Close, Barrow, admitted two counts of theft and two counts of fraud by false representation.

He was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £50 costs and £25 compensation.

First published at 16:20, Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk