Thief makes his 51st court appearance

A NEWHAVEN man who has been jailed 35 times walked free from court after admitting stealing two bottles of champagne from a supermarket.

Peter Evans, 42, of Iveagh Crescent, appeared in court for the 51st time on Wednesday.

Magistrates at Lewes heard how he stole a bottle each of Bollinger and a Lanson Champagne from the Safeway supermarket, Crowborough, on September 7. Evans pleaded guilty.

Peter Morris, defending, admitted his client had a 'chronic record' and had a serious drug problem over many years. He added: 'He has received prison sentences 35 times out of the 50 times he has appeared in court.'

He told the court Evans had hitch-hiked to Crowborough from Newhaven on the day of the theft to see a friend about a job.

However, the friend had not turned up so he stole the Champagne, intending to sell it, to pay his fare home.

He argued his client was attempting to find work and would not benefit from yet another prison sentence.

Evans was conditionally discharged for a year and warned him that if he re-offended in that period he would be sentenced for both crimes.