A Carlisle man initially accused of robbery after a city centre incident has admitted a lesser, alternative offence of theft.
Martin Forster, 33, latterly of Graham Street, was arrested and charged following an incident in the area of The Crescent on the evening of December 29.
At Carlisle Crown Court this morning, Forster pleaded not guilty to a charge which alleged that he robbed a man of a £20 note.
He instead pleaded guilty to stealing the cash from that man; and admitted that he committed a common assault against the same complainant during the same incident.
A defence lawyer told the court Forster had a significant criminal record with his life having been blighted by addiction for the past 12 years.
However, he had now been offered a golden opportunity to undergo therapeutic residential detoxification, on a full-time basis, at accommodation outside of Cumbria.
Forster was granted bail by a judge in order that he could begin that placement later today. He is due to return to court to receive his punishment on March 3 following the preparation of a pre-sentence report
- A 44-year-old man, Paul Muir, of Logan Road, Gretna — jointly charged with Forster — did not attend court. His case will be dealt with in due course.
