Persil pincher's two-day booze bender

Colin Null, of Newport Road, Newbury, later had no recollection of the “blatant” theft - or why he needed so much detergent, the court was told on Thursday, June 26.
Helen Gambrill, prosecuting, said CCTV footage showed the 26-year-old shoving bottle after bottle of Persil into a bag before leaving the Co-op store at the Burdwood Centre in Thatcham, making no attempt to pay.
She added: “He told officers: ‘I was on a two day bender,’ explaining that he had been drinking throughout that time and couldn’t remember a thing.”
Mr Null, who has numerous previous convictions, admitted committing the theft on June 11 this year.
Mike Davis, defending, said: “It was very blatant. The fact is that he has a significant drink problem which the root of all his offending. He clearly needs help.”
Magistrates made Mr Null subject to a 12 month community order with alcohol treatment and supervision requirement.
They also ordered him to pay £47 compensation plus a statutory surcharge of £60.