Let off for Portsmouth charity tin thief who took boxesÂ

The 38-year-old stole a Southsea charity box raising cash for The Rowans Hospice on January 15, and a box for Little Heart Matters on the same day.

Portsmouth magistrates imposed a community order with 15 days of rehabilitation activities.

White, of Lidiard Gardens, Portsmouth, must pay £25 compensation to each charity.

Magistrates refused to impose an 18-week suspended jail term he breached but increased it to be suspended for 18 months, up from 12.

They said he had taken efforts to tackle his drug use.

White also admitted theft of cash tips on March 14, four steaks from Sainsbury's in Portsmouth on May 1 and two legs of lamb from Lidl on March 6.

As previously reported in The News, White has a string of convictions for stealing charity tins across Southsea, including Poppy Appeal tins.