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Hungry cake thief bit guard

6/11/2001

A HUNGRY teenager bit a chasing security guard after he pinched two cakes from a local store.

Anthony Haslam, 18, who was formerly homeless but now of Gawsworth Road, Macclesfield, admitted assault and stealing two Swiss Buns - worth 99p - from Kwik Save in Thornton Square when he appeared before the town's magistrates.

He was given 12 months community rehabilitation and ordered to pay the victim £100 compensation.

John Talbot-Bagnall, prosecuting, said a customer had seen the defendant acting suspiciously and alerted a security guard who asked him if he had a receipt.

When he said he hadn't, he ran off and the guard gave chase. There was a struggle during which Haslam bit the officer on the forearm.

Andrew Meachin, defending, said: "My client was homeless at the time and the offence speaks for itself - he was stealing cakes to eat because he had no food.

"He has reconciled with his parents and he wants to kick his heroin habit.

"But how many times have we heard that - there are often talks about kicking drug problems but the resolution just melts away.

"My client is a lot better than he was and his parents are back in the picture."