Charities condemn 'binge drinker' who stole two collection tins

CHARITIES have slammed a man who stole two of their collection boxes.

Cancer Research UK and the Royal British Legion (RBL) shamed Shaun McGuinness (58), of Calmore Drive, Calmore, after he was sentenced by magistrates for the offences.

Jenny Makin, a spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK, said: “It’s a sad state-of-affairs when someone steals a collection box. That money is given by our loyal supporters to further the charity’s life-saving work.

“The charity receives no government funding, so we rely entirely on the generosity of those who donate and fundraise for us.

"Every pound counts, so even this is a loss which will be felt.”

The RBL added: “We were greatly disturbed at the theft of a poppy collecting tin.

"The loss of any funds generously donated by members of the public deprives serving and ex-serving members of the armed forces and their families of much needed help and support from us."

McGuinness initially denied taking the Cancer Research tin from Testwood Baptist Church in Salisbury Road, Totton, in November last year, and the RBL collection box in Shirley in May.

However, he changed his plea to guilty when he appeared before Southampton magistrates.

McGuiness also admitted the latter matter put him in breach of a conditional discharge order imposed for a previous theft offence.

The Bench noted his defence solicitor’s claims he was a binge drinker, and gave him a six-month rehabilitation order, as part of which he will undergo treatment for alcohol dependency.

The defendant was also given an eight-week curfew between 7pm and 7am and told to pay £255 court costs.