Drug addict with 'bad record' who burgled Portsmouth chemist is jailed after 'falling off the wagon'

Billy Carlile resorted to his old ways of drinking and taking drugs after he was kicked out of the house he was staying.

It meant the 35-year-old – who was spared an immediate prison sentence in July after he burgled Everetts Pharmacy in High Street, Cosham, and stole money – landed himself in hot water after missing appointments.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard Carlile was given a reprieve from incarceration in July when he was handed a 12-month jail term suspended for 24 months along with drug rehabilitation requirements.

But within a month the defendant’s life had nosedived after he became homeless – resulting in him failing to comply with his order including sessions to address his drug addiction.

Adam Slack, defending, told the court: ‘He was kicked out of the home he was staying and became homeless and found life very difficult.

‘Regrettably he slipped back into drinking and taking drugs. He fell off the wagon.’

The barrister admitted jail was a foregone conclusion following Carlile’s non-attendances. ‘He understands the sentence will be activated,’ he said.

Carlile, appearing via video-link from Lewes Prison, admitted failing to comply with supervision requirements and failing to answer a court summons on October 16

Recorder James Waddington QC told Carlile: ‘You went to a chemist and went behind a till and stole money.

‘You have a very bad record and anything at the court’s disposal has had no success. You did not comply with your order and now the only way to deal with you is to activate your sentence.

‘You agree with that and I agree – and don’t think it is unjust. There is no other realistic option.’

Recorder Waddington acknowledged the ‘destabilising’ impact of being made homeless but said that was of ‘limited credit’ when considering the sentence.

But the recorder did agree to a reduction in the sentence put forward by Mr Slack and reduced the term from 12 to 10 months.

The recorder added: ‘You have brought this entirely upon yourself.’

Carlile will serve half the term in jail before being released on licence.

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