A GRIEVING son who admitted stealing a bottle of wine to “block out the pain of his mother’s death” has been handed a 12 month conditional discharge by magistrates.
Matthew David Lemoignan pleaded guilty to the theft of the £6.50 bottle of rose wine, from Marks and Spencer, Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole, on October 28 last year.
Poole Magistrates’ Court heard the 30-year-old, now of Dale Valley Road, Poole, had been homeless at the time of the offence.
Lemoignan gave himself up voluntarily at Poole police station soon afterwards, the court was told on Tuesday. (Feb 13)
In interview he told officers: “I needed a drink because it was coming close to the anniversary of my mum’s death. I wanted to block out the pain. I am sorry.”
Tragically, Lemoignan’s mother died in a fire on November 5 in 2016
Magistrates also heard Lemoignan – who has a history of substance abuse - had been housed in supported accommodation since December and had not drank nor taken drugs since that time.
He was also ordered to pay £6.50 compensation to Marks and Spencer.
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