Man stole charity box with just £11 in it out of desperation

Sam Edwin Edwards, 23, previously of Radnor Drive and now of St Edwards Close, both in Knighton, admitted stealing the charity box from Offa's Dyke Visitor Centre on July 22 when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court.

Mr Stephen Davies, prosecuting, said on July 24 Jenny Bevan – a member of staff at the visitor centre – contacted the police to say a paper coffee cup which was being used to raise money for Knighton skateboard park had gone missing.

The cup was on a small table at the front of the centre. Police attended and watched CCTV coverage of the area and could see a male walking in, picking up the cup, putting the money into his hand and then walking out.

Police were able to identify the man as Edwards and he was interviewed. He said he took the money because of desperation, stupidity and because he did not think if there were other options and there were. He said he had nowhere to live and took the £11 because he did not have anything to eat.

Mr Gareth Walters, for Edwards, said this was a crime of desperation.

"He was of no fixed abode, he was sofa surfing with friends and he had no income or benefits and he needed money to be able to eat. Within five days of his offence happening he secured a job paying him £25 a day and within five working days he returned back to the Offa's Dyke Centre and put £20 back into the coffee cup. That is what he tells me," Mr Walters said.

Mr Walters said while Edwards does have previous convictions, he now works as a landscaper at least six and sometimes seven days a week.

"His life has stabilised dramatically in the last two months. I think he realised what he had done and how low he had gone in committing this offence and he took the relevant steps to turn his life around," he added.

Magistrates gave Edwards a conditional discharge for 24 months and ordered him to pay £11 compensation, £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.