Magistrates throw a serial thief a lifeline in his battle to beat drugs

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, August 8, how Gareth Fox, 39, of Macclesfield Road, Buxton, admitted committing seven thefts and twice failed to attend previous court hearings.

Prosecuting solicitor Lynn Bickley said Fox admitted stealing clothing from the Mountain Warehouse, in Buxton, in September, last year, but he failed to attend court and he had also pleaded guilty to four shop thefts from April, 2018, and he had been due in court in May but had also failed to attend this hearing.

Fox, who finally appeared in court on August 8 after being arrested, also pleaded guilty to stealing a coat from Divine Trash, at the Cavendish Arcade, in Buxton, on March 26, and a bouncy castle from an Aldi store on July 18. The court also heard that Fox had also breached a previously imposed conditional discharge.

Defence solicitor Paul Green said Fox had failed to attend court the first time because he was suffering with tonsillitis and he failed to attend court a second time because he claimed mail posted to his address was going missing.

Mr Green added: “Regarding the shoplifting charges, this is a man who has been a heroin addict for the last 24 years of his life.