Probation for four-time thief and drug user

Sunday 04 December 2016

Alexandra Snowden, 31, admitted a count of larceny and drug possession after she was found to have a small amount of subutex, an opiate substitute, following a police raid.

The Magistrate’s Court heard on Friday that Snowden was caught with the drug on 20 October, a period which also included a number of thefts from stores in St Helier.

Centenier Phillip Coffey said: “During the police officers’ search there were a number of things found and one was suspected to be a controlled drug. It was found in a hair dye box in a paper wrap and after it was examined it was found to be 50mg of buprenorphine.”

Subutex, which is classified as buprenorphine, is considered to be a safer treatment option than methadone.  

Centenier Coffey said: “As for the theft, there are four charges of larceny on the High Street.”

The Cenenier said Snowden stole a bottle of wine from Tesco Alliance, a perfume worth £73 from Voisins and a scarf from New Look.

Defending Advocate James Bell said: “The defendant is genuinely remorseful and she is more than willing to pay compensation to reflect these offences.

“She has a limited record and has no previous convictions for dishonesty. She does have drugs charges on her record but the most recent was four years ago. She is very willing to serve a probation order.”

Magistrate Peter Harris said Snowden must pay £125 in compensation and handed her a nine-month probation order.

He said: “You have to take control of your life. There is always the risk of re-offending and associated health problems with drug use.

“You entered a guilty plea at the first opportunity and that is to your credit. This is a very sad case. The probation service will try to help you, but you have got to help them. Any offences committed under probation is a further offence and you will end up back in court.”

The Magistrate ordered the subutex to be destroyed.