Homeless man took pillows and duvet from charity shop bin, then took them back next morning

A homeless man who took pillows and a duvet from a wheelie bin at the back of a Holbeach charity shop has appeared in court.

Benjamin Chapman, who now lives in Spalding’s Carrington Road, originally faced a burglary charge
after damaging a shed door at Chosen in High Street.

But at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday that charge was withdrawn and the 39-year-old
pleaded guilty to criminal damage and theft on April 20 last year.

Prosecutor Lottie Tyler said: “He bent the door on a shed but did not take anything from it.

“He then took pillows from an external bin.”

The court heard that Chapman had 36 previous offences, 13 of which were for theft or dishonesty.

Philippa Chatterton, mitigating, said he was seen by CCTV and actually took a duvet as well as the
pillows.

She told the court he put the items back in the bin the following day and had told police he was
willing to help in the charity shop to make up for the offences.

Chapman was ordered to pay £100 compensation for the door damage and £34 victim surcharge.

There was no separate penalty for the theft offence.