Drug addict Gavin Thomas, 37, of Maesteg, threatened and stole money from his grandmother after she refused to give him money for his addiction to heroin and crack cocaine. He was arrested and sentenced to 16 months in prison, with an additional three weeks for a breach of a suspended sentence. It was revealed in court that he had 15 previous convictions, including 23 offenses of theft. His defense barrister explained that Thomas’ addiction began with poor choices in associates and the use of gateway drugs, and that he has also been diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression.
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The sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court showcased Thomas’ violent actions towards his grandmother, a vulnerable woman, in her own home. The judge highlighted the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing that it was a case of domestic violence. Thomas was also issued a restraining order preventing him from contacting his grandparents for three years. The court took into account his previous criminal history and the impact of his drug addiction on his behavior.
Thomas’ defense barrister explained that his life had been “gripped and ruined” by his drug addiction. He emphasized that Thomas made poor choices in his youth and had been influenced by the wrong people, leading him down a path of addiction. The defense also mentioned Thomas’ mental health issues, including schizophrenia and depression, as contributing factors to his behavior. He is a father of two teenage daughters with whom he maintains contact.
The article mentioned that Thomas had stayed with his grandparents in Caerau, Maesteg, Wales, where he continuously asked them for money. On one occasion, he forcefully stole £60 from his grandmother after she refused to give it to him. The court heard that he had a history of repeatedly hassling his elderly relatives for money while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. This incident led to his arrest and subsequent sentencing to prison.
In addition to his prison sentence, Thomas was given a restraining order, and the judge emphasized the severity of the attack on his grandmother. The court proceedings revealed Thomas’ troubling criminal record and the impact of his drug addiction on his behavior. The defense offered insight into the factors that influenced Thomas’ addiction and the challenges he faced due to his mental health issues. Overall, the case highlighted the destructive nature of substance abuse and its consequences on individuals and their families.
