A MAN has been spared jail after a raft of offending landed him in the dock.

Christopher Caveney, Fairclough in Liverpool, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

The 34-year-old had previously been convicted of a number of offences, including:
-Assault by beating
-Possession of cocaine
-Driving without insurance
-Taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent
-Drug-driving x2
-Driving whilst disqualified
-Theft from shop
-Fail to answer court or police bail

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court that the first offence in time was the theft from shop, which saw him taking £50 worth of goods from Aldi at Broughton Retail Park in June 2022.

Then came the assault in July that year against the 64-year-old uncle of his then partner.

It was said that he'd "gone crazy" at an address in Messham Close, Broughton, and punched the victim in the face.

He was due to attend court afterwards - but didn't, which gave rise to his fail to surrender charge.

The remaining six offences all took place in Liverpool on January 24 this year.

Police were alerted to Caveney driving a vehicle as it was suspected he was banned.

When stopped, he was found to have a small wrap of white powder on the seat, which turned out to be cocaine.

When tested he was over the limit for cocaine and BZE, and at the time he was indeed banned.

It turned out the vehicle belonged to his partner and he'd taken it without her consent - as well as driving it with no insurance.

Amy Valentine, defending, told the court that in relation to the shoplifting, her client had taken a drill on the "spur of the moment."

"He didn't plan to go in and take it and he shows remorse," she said.

Ms Valentine said her client "didn't behave in an adult manner" regarding the assault, which he also regretted.

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And regarding the motoring offences in Liverpool, she added the defendant had been just six days away from completing his disqualification, but a "miscalculation" meant he believed it had already ended.

He had accepted having taken drugs the day before and "felt ok to drive," she said, but "had no idea they would still be in system."

Ms Valentine added: "Mr Caveney is in a new relationship and they have a child.

"His new partner is a really good influence on him and has given him an ultimatum - any more arrests and it's over.

"He's taken that seriously."

The Court handed down a 12 week term of custody across all of the offences, but suspended it for 18 months.

The defendant must undertake 30 days of rehabilitation activity and a thinking skills programme.

He must also pay £100 in compensation (£50 each to the shop he stole from and the victim or his assault), as well as a £154 victim surcharge and two sets of prosecution costs at £625 and £85.

The court banned him from driving for three years.