A MAN has avoided jail after breaching a suspended sentence and stealing more than £1,000 of televisions from a homeless charity which was supporting him.

John Warner, 33, of no fixed address, was given a suspended sentence two years ago after stealing money from his father to buy drugs.

But Warner flouted his sentence after stealing four JVC smart televisions, at a value of £1,418, from Emmaus Colchester - the same homeless charity which helped him.

Appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday, Warner who had admitted theft, was handed a six-month sentence, which will be suspended for a further period of 18 months.

The court heard the televisions were bought in the early summer of last year but by November they were all missing.

Speaking with members of staff at the charity, Warner said he stole the devices as a result of him losing his employment.

The court also heard he had a relapse at the time of the offence, but “has made progress” and is currently drugs free.

Gavin Burrell, mitigating, said: “He has been able to establish himself in the community and lead a decent life.

“He is hoping he is able to obtain full time work like warehouse work but quite frankly he says he will do any kind of full time work as long as he pays for accommodation and bills.

“He is an honest individual and he has accepted his fault.”

Three of the televisions have now been recovered by the charity.

Sentencing Warner, Judge Mary Loram QC, said: “Mr Warner, it is really disappointing that you haven’t done much of the good work you were clearly doing on the order that was imposed in 2020.

“Even more disappointing is that your relapse involves stealing from those who were trying to help you.

“Bodies like Emmaus provide an invaluable and much-needed service to people who are exactly in your position.”

“And the only thing that can be said is at least their loss was mitigated to some extent by the recovery of most of the goods.

“I could send you to prison but I fail to see what would be achieved by that.

“However I have to take under account the work you have done and that has been significant.”

Warner was also ordered to do 18 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation.