A cuckooing victim was "stealing to order" when he was caught with stolen meat and a bag of items in Nottingham city centre. Graham Butterworth has a drug addiction going back 30 years.
Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard his flat was stripped and the people behind the cuckooing - a term used when drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person in order to use it as a base - had now gone.
Butterworth had not disclosed who they were but his solicitor Chris Wall told the court his client was, "the victim of cuckooing, and the offences he committed were by coercion. Aged 51 and a resident in a flat off Lower Parliament Street, in the city, he has not offended for six years until now.
Butterworth pleaded guilty to stealing clothing from House of Fraser, in the Victoria Centre, on June 28 this year, and nearly £100 worth of meat from the food hall at Marks and Spencer, Albert Street, Nottingham, on May 21. He further admitted having a foil-lined bag and two screwdrivers - articles for use in connection with theft.
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On both occasions the stolen items were recovered. Butterworth is now on Methadone, which is prescribed to help an addict stop taking heroin. Mr Wall said: "He has been the victim of exploitation with these particular offences. He was selling to order. He was in fear of what these males would do to him.
"From July 19, he had injuries to his hands and legs. He was discharged on July 21, and the cuckoos had left. He does need help and that ideally would come from the Probation Service".
Judge Leo Pyle told the defendant on Thursday, July 28: "I understand the cause of this and I recognise that you have not troubled the courts for some considerable period of time. But these were premeditated offences. On both occasions equipped with articles to evade security in each store".
Butterworth's total sentence was 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, with a drug rehabilitation order for six months, ten rehabilitation activity days, victim surcharge order of £128 to pay and £85 costs. His first drug-free review is on August 25.
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