A SWINDON man who stole a phone to pay off a drug debt has been ordered to undergo drug assessment.
Swindon Crown Court heard yesterday that Daniel Melhado, 19, of Tudor Walk, Walcot, stole the handset from his
16-year-old victim as he walked with a friend down The Parade in September.
Paul Cook, prosecuting, told the court that Melhado, who was pushing a bike, approached the teenager and asked him if could use the phone to make a call.
"When the victim said no because he was on his way to college the defendant asked if he could place his own sim card in the phone," said Mr Cook. "At this point the defendant grabbed the phone and made off."
Police later arrested him in County Road and recovered the phone.
Alison Fraser, defending, said her client denied robbing the victim, insisting his victim had handed him the phone voluntarily before he made off.
Melhado also admitted handling stolen goods in relation to a separate incident.
The court was told Melhado, who was with another defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, approached a 15-year-old boy in Buckhurst playing field last month and demanded he hand it over.
Ms Fraser said her client had been involved with heroin since he was 14 or 15.
Adjourning the case for sentencing, Judge Charles Wade told Melhado: "These offences are linked to your long-standing drug-taking.
"The court would normally be looking at possible custody for the theft of the mobile phone even if it was not in the context of habit.
"If you can demonstrate that this is the case it is most likely that a drug testing and treatment order will be made."
The case is adjourned until Friday, February 6.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article