Published date: 30 December 2016 |
Published by: Staff reporterRead more articles by Staff reporterEmail reporter
A homeless man living on the streets of Wrexham was desperate when he stole from Boots.
Dean Alan Bellis, 42, wanted money for food, his lawyer explained at Flintshire Magistrates Court at Mold yesterday.
Defence solicitor Bethan Jones said when people were released from prison, 28 days emergency accommodation used to be provided.
But she had now discovered that was not the case and people were simply released from prison onto the streets, she said.
Bellis had been “discharged from prison into a cardboard box in Wrexham High Street,” she explained.
On occasions he could stay at the Ty Nos night shelter but that could not be guaranteed.
There were more homeless people than the number of beds available at the night shelter, she said, adding: “It is a sad reflection on society.”
She had been told by the probation service there was another scheme in place which triggered in when temperatures dropped below zero but no-one had advised her client of that, Miss Jones said.
Bellis was told by one of the magistrates that he could attend at premises in Wrexham with his sleeping bag when temperatures fell.
He said he had already been there but it was locked up, that there was no service available but he was told that it would be available after a third freezing night.
Magistrates placed him on a six month community order with drug rehabilitation and regular court reviews.
They said they hoped he would get a bed for the night.
Bellis, of no fixed abode, admitted stealing an aftershave gift set valued at £39 from Boots in Eagles Meadow.
He said he stole to sell so that he could buy food as his money had run out and he was not due to receive any benefits until the next week.
http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/170803/homeless-man-living-on-streets-of-wrexham-stole-to-get-cash-for-food.aspx
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