Son's theft creates family rift

Camera equipment sold to settle drug debt

A MAN stole his father’s expensive camera equipment to settle a drugs debt.

And the emotional fallout split a once-close family, Newbury magistrates heard on Thursday, June 16.

Helen Waite, prosecuting, said victim Jonathan Bishop was enraged to discover that his prized £400 camera lens had been sold – at a knockdown price – on an online marketplace.

In the dock was his 20-year-old son, Jack Roger Bishop.

Ms Waite said: “The defendant was staying at the family home at the time the lens went missing. His father suspected him and reported the theft to police.

“He subsequently found paperwork relating to its sale in his son’s bedroom and, as a result, found it advertised for sale online.”

She added: “Unfortunately it had been sold on almost immediately. On being arrested, Mr Bishop said he owed money for drugs and needed to pay off a drug dealer.”

Mr Bishop admitted stealing from his father’s Newbury home between April 14 and 19.

Jeremy Yuille, defending, said his client had “been thrown out of the house” and consequently had no fixed address. Mr Yuille said his client’s actions had effectively split the family.

Magistrates made Mr Bishop subject to a 12-month community order with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR).

In addition they ordered him to pay £215 compensation to his father, plus a statutory surcharge of £85.