Thief took '˜black mamba' and missed court dates

A thief missed court appointments because he had been taking a synthetic drug called '˜black mamba', which has become popular in Worksop, magistrates in Mansfield heard.

Carl Richardson, 37, of Queen Street, Worksop, admitted failing to comply with a supervision order when he missed appointments on December 15, 2015, and January 25, February 9 and February 17, 2016.

He also admitted failing to answer to court bail on March 17 and March 24.

He pleaded guilty to possessing a Class C drug on January 23 and stealing 25 watches, worth £225, from Family Bargains, in Moorgate, Worksop, on February 25.

David Verity, mitigating, said: “Mr Richardson has worked hard to get himself off other drugs like heroin.

“Black mamba seems to have taken over in a big way in Worksop. That’s the background to his non-attendance.

“He has a long record going back a long time. Mr Richardson acknowledges that.

“He doesn’t want to waste the court’s time. He pleads guilty to everything.

“I ask you to impose a custodial sentence but to keep it as short as you can under the circumstances.”

Magistrates sentenced him to eight weeks in prison and ordered him to pay £225 compensation.