Powys Man Stole Viagra

A Powys man stole Viagra tablets from behind the counter of his local Boots store.

Anthony Mark Stevens, 54, of Fronhir, Knighton, Powys, admitted an offence of theft when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 3rd January 2024.

Theft is an offence under section 1 of the Theft Act 1968. Shop theft of items under the value of £200, as in this case, is dealt with as a summary offence, with the maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine. We have previously written an article on the legalities surrounding theft.

Magistrates heard that Stevens visited Boots on Wylcwm Place, Knighton, on the morning of Thursday, 16th February 2023, which was his 54th birthday.

Once inside, the hardened criminal walked behind the counter, helped himself to a £34.99 box of Viagra tablets, and walked out without offering payment.

Gareth Walters, mitigating, asked the court not to impose too stiff a sentence.

Mr Walters said: "He has no recollection of the incident and can offer no explanation as to why he did it.

"It was a low-level shoplifting matter, it was entirely unsophisticated, committed in broad daylight in full view of the shop manager."

Magistrates heard that at the time of the offence Stevens was subject to a conditional discharge imposed in relation to earlier incidents of shop theft and bilking.

Stevens was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and £34 surcharge. He was also ordered to pay £34.99 in compensation to Boots.

The Bench also resentenced the earlier matters, imposing fines of £40 for the shop theft and £40 for the bilking.