Lowest of the low

Paul Donachie, 23, of Emlyn Square, Swindon, faced magistrates yesterday charged with stealing a charity box from Tesco in The Parade.

The court heard how Donachie walked into the Tesco Metro store and snatched the collection box before fleeing on November 10 last year.

After being arrested later that day he admitted the offence and claimed that there had been only £16 in the collection box, and that he had already spent it to feed his heroin addiction.

Don Deadman, Swindon branch president of the Royal British Legion said "His behaviour was despicable. He should have had a much harder sentence and what is to stop him doing it again. They should have made an example of him."

Donachie also pleaded guilty to another offence of stealing perfume, a bag and a wallet to the value of £79 from Debenhams in Swindon town centre on September 13.

The court heard that he had carried out this theft with a female accomplice who looked around the store to make sure they weren't being watched.

They were both caught on CCTV cameras and arrested later that day.

Donachie had originally been given a community punishment order for these offences but after breaching the order in December he was taken into custody to be re-sentenced for them.

Rob Ross defending said: "We are not dealing with someone with the worst record in the world. He had descended into heroin addiction but now this young man has had the benefit of three weeks in custody and has taken advantage of a detox programme. With the right help this young man can be put back on the straight and narrow."

Donachie was sentenced to an 18 month rehabilitation order with the proviso that he attends the Think First programme. Magistrates revoked the community punishment order. He was also ordered to pay £16 compensation to the Royal British Legion to replace what had been in the collection box.

The Poppy Appeal is run by the Royal British Legion and helps former servicemen and women in need.

Jamie Hill