A FOUL-MOUTHED drug addict shoplifter threw a plant pot at a member of staff after he caught the thief red-handed tying to steal from a Worcester garden centre.

Paul Raymond who owes more than £6,000 in court fines already tried to steal a calendar from Worcester Garden Centre but was challenged by a member of staff when he was caught in the act.

The 40-year-old of Rose Avenue, Tolladine then threw a plant pot at Christopher Church during the incident on October 21 last year. He admitted attempted theft and assault by beating when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said the incident happened at around 11.30am when Raymond selected the calendar, worth £9.99.

He said: "The employee Mr Church challenged Mr Raymond and Mr Raymond has come out with some profanities. He selected a small plastic plant pot and threw it at Mr Church, striking him in the chest and causing no injury whatsoever but caused lots of soil to fall on the floor."

Barry Newton, defending, said Raymond was dealt with my magistrates for stealing £152 worth of goods from a Co-op in Pershore when he appeared before magistrates on February 25 this year, an offence which had taken place on January 23 this year." This earlier offence resulted in compensation order. Mr Newton said Raymond had pleaded guilty to the attempted theft at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Newton told the bench that Raymond had 'a long-standing and very unfortunate addiction to drugs'.

Last July he received a four week curfew for a theft on May 25 last year. Before that he received a term of imprisonment in December 2019.

Mr Newton said at the time of the garden centre offence he had no methadone prescription. "If that is lost to somebody who has such an addiction, reoffending is almost inevitable" said Mr Newton.

He told magistrates that Raymond was now on a methadone prescription and 'clearly isn't under the influence of or craving illicit drugs'. The solicitor urged magistrates to impose a conditional discharge.

Raymond, who receives universal credit of £258 per month, and had substantial court debts which resulted in no costs or victim surcharge being imposed on the last occasion.

The fines outstanding are £6,516 on one account and £152 on another.

Magistrates imposed