Codnor thief on a new path after sat-nav offences

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, October 1, how Stuart David Wicks, 30, of Holywell Avenue, Codnor, stole a Mio sat nav valued at £70 and attempted to steal a Tom-Tom sat nav during raids in Codnor.

Prosecuting solicitor Angela Hadfield said: “The defendant was arrested for the attempted theft and said he couldn’t remember anything about it because he regularly gets high. However, he admitted a theft from another vehicle a few days earlier.”

The court heard how Wicks had been seen by a neighbour during the attempted theft and accepted responsibility after he was identified. Wicks pleaded guilty to the theft committed on July 5 and guilty to the attempted theft committed on July 10.

Matt Evans, defending, said Wicks could not remember the attempted theft because he had been drunk. Mr Evans added that Wicks had battled to wean himself off heroin but he turned to alcohol after he lost his job.

Wicks has since found a new job and has been doing well on a community order for a separate offence, according to Mr Evans. Magistrates sentenced Wicks to a 12 month conditional discharge.

He was also ordered by the court to pay a £15 victim surcharge, £70 compensation and £85 costs.