Desperate drug addict attacked Portsmouth pharmacy with pickaxe in burglary bid
A DRUG addict who tried to smash his way into a chemist with a pickaxe has been spared jail for his 'act of desperation'.
Darren Elston, 48, attacked City Pharmacy in London Road, North End, on December 22.
Armed with a pickaxe and rucksack to carry the stolen goods he was stopped by the sturdy door.
Elston, of Chichester Road in North End, was arrested as he waited at the scene of the crime for police.
At Portsmouth Magistrates' Court he admitted attempting to burgle the pharmacy.
Magistrates suspended the sentence as the attempted burglary was 'an act born of desperation' as he and his family had been subject to threats over a drug debt.
He must pay £200 compensation for the door.
Elston admitted theft of £30 worth of meat and cheese from Co-op in Tangier Road on January 12. He admitted causing harassment, alarm or distress on the same day.
And he admitted having a lock knife, a sharply-pointed weapon, on the same day.
The knife was on a keyring. He received a 12-week suspended term for the knife.
Magistrates imposed a 24-week jail term suspended for a year overall.
Elston must complete 12 months' supervision and 15 days' rehabilitation activities.
The knife and pickaxe must be destroyed.