A REPEAT Carlisle offender who has 58 shoplifting offences on his criminal record warmly thanked magistrates after they spared him from jail after his latest offences.

Davy Gilchrist, 37, had admitted twice breaching a criminal behaviour order which banned him from entering dozens of shops in the city – including Asda at St Nicholas Gate and Superdrug in the Lanes Shopping Centre.

Yet on Saturday he went into both shops.

At the city’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court, the defendant, of Oakleigh Way, Botcherby, pleaded guilty to two breaches of a criminal behaviour order (CBO) imposed by the court in 2018. He also admitted stealing headphones from Asda.

When interviewed by the police, Gilchrist said he had visited a friend on Backwell Road, Currock, but blacked out. He claimed he had earlier had a sample of blood taken and taken Valium. “He said he wasn’t sure what had gone on,” said Mr Kelly. He apologised to the police for his actions.

John Smith, for Gilchrist, said: “When I spoke to Mr Gilchrist in the cells he told me he has now got his drugs problem knocked on the head – for the time being. He’s been a long-term heroin user.

“He has engaged with Unity [drug and alcohol agency] and been prescribed methadone. Since January he has not been abusing heroin. But as with many people in society at he moment, he’s been under a lot of pressure and stress.

“On Saturday, he went to a friend’s house on Blackwell Road. The friend offered him some Valium tablets and he took four. He says they relaxed him and he didn’t have any problems.

“Then he had another two – and he can’t remember what happened after he had the other two. “

Magistrates noted that it was the eighth and ninth time Gilchrist had breached his CBO. They imposed 16-weeks' jail but suspended the sentence for a year. They also imposed two weeks concurrent in jail, also suspending that term. Presiding magistrate Julia Evans told Gilchrist: “We’re doing that because we note your positive engagement with Unity and with the Probation Service.”

Leaving the dock, the defendant said: “Thank you for your leniency because I expected to go to jail.” The presiding magistrate retorted that Gilchrist could best thank the court by committing no more offences.

He must also observe an eight week 7pm to 7am curfew, and pay £85 costs, and a £122 victim surcharge. There was no order for compensation.