A THIEVING drug addict who threatened a store security guard with a screwdriver has been locked up for 20 months.

It took Kevin Godfrey just a month to blow the opportunity given to him by a judge at Bradford Crown Court.

Within weeks of receiving a community order, he was missing appointments, back on Class A drugs and attending Asda in Rooley Lane, Bradford, with a bag containing a screwdriver.

Godfrey, 41, of Studley Road, Undercliffe, Bradford, was brought back to the court in custody to be sentenced. He pleaded guilty to having a bladed article in Asda on February 22, stealing four litre bottles of Jack Daniels whiskey, worth £120, and breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Prosecutor Andrew Horton said Godfrey was sentenced to a 12 month community order on December 9 for seven offences of shoplifting dating from last summer. He made off with steaks, coffee, shampoo and other products, worth hundreds of pounds, from Marks & Spencer and the Co-op.

The court heard that Godfrey, who could turn nasty when challenged by shop staff, took along tools for removing the security tags from high value items. On February 22, he was challenged by a security guard while leaving Asda with the stolen whiskey.

Godfrey threatened: “Move out of the way or I will stab you,” and waved the screwdriver.

Fearing it was a needle, the guard stepped aside but Godfrey was chased and apprehended by a Police Community Support Officer. Mr Horton said the defendant was carrying a needle as well as the screwdriver.

His long criminal record included two previous offences for having a bladed article, making him a “second striker” for that offence, attracting a prison sentence of at least six months. Godfrey’s barrister, Ken Green, told the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC: “Mr Godfrey is anxious for me to apologise to you on his behalf. He has lost his opportunity, given to him by you, and let himself and you down.”

Mr Green said all had looked well for Godfrey until he was placed in multi-occupancy housing with drug misusers and relapsed into taking Class A drugs again. Judge Thomas said Godfrey was an intelligent man, not without some abilities.

The judge made a new three year Criminal Behaviour Order, warning Godfrey that the maximum sentence for breaching it was five years imprisonment. The Criminal Behaviour Order (CRIMBO) is an initiative by Bradford Council and police to cut crime and anti-social behaviour and across the district.

It bars Godfrey from entering any retail premises with a bag or bags or being in possession of wire cutters, pliers or any article used in connection with the removal of store security tags.

After the case, PC Di Walsh, from Bradford District ASB Team, said: “We work tirelessly with partners to make Bradford a safer city. Although the Criminal Behaviour Orders are prohibitive orders, we can also include positive requirements to assist offenders in obtaining help from support agencies in order to address their offending behaviour and the reasons for it. Kevin Godfrey’s order had positive requirements to it which we hoped would help him get the support he needs to address his drug addiction.

“Unfortunately and disappointingly, he has reoffended due to his addiction despite the support he has been given, but as can be seen from the sentenced given, the courts take very serious issue with offenders who fail to comply with court orders.”