A lawyer defending a man who was caught nicking a box of Viagra told the court his client was 'not a hardened criminal'. This guy clearly saw his shot and took it, didn't he?
Stephen Cooper, 46, stole a packet of Viagra from a branch of Lloyds Pharmacy in Leek in Staffordshire.
According to the Stoke Sentinel, Cooper said he needed the Viagra after starting a new relationship with a woman.
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At North Staffordshire Justice Centre, Prosecutor Karen Wright told the court police had discovered £10 worth of cannabis at Cooper's property just eight days before the theft on 11 March.
On the 19 March he was seen entering the pharmacy and helping himself to a box of Viagra - having been spotted by staff trying to do the same weeks earlier.
Wright said: "Four weeks before that he had gone to the pharmacy and tried to steal four packets of Viagra. He apologised. The shop did not tell the police but banned him as they have a zero tolerance policy and he left the pharmacy.
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"On March 19 staff noticed him inside the store.
"They saw him place a packet of Viagra into a bag and run out of the shop."
During his police interview, he admitted the cannabis was his and also admitted shoplifting. He told cops he had intended to steal the medication when he went in and that the tablets were for himself.
In mitigation Iain Haley told the court Cooper had had no convictions between 2000 and this year, but admitted his client had 'fallen off the wagon' in 2021.
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He went on to say the offence was 'low level' and that the medication on he stole was for his own use.
He told the court: "He formed a relationship and needed the Viagra to enable him to keep up with the young woman he had formed the relationship with.
"He is not a hardened criminal."
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Appearing in court, Cooper was handed a 12 month conditional discharge.
He was also ordered to pay £35 in compensation and a £22 surcharge. His £10 worth of cannabis was confiscated and destroyed.
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