In the courts: Andover man stole beer from M&S

Douglas Peter Strike pleaded guilty to theft and assault by beating at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The court was told that Strike, of Junction Road, committed the offences at Marks and Spencers in Tanner Street, Winchester, on April 17.

He has been remanded on unconditional bail whilst a pre-sentence report is prepared.

The 32-year-old will next appear before the same court on May 24.

An Andover man who damaged the tyres of a car belonging to another person has been given a conditional discharge.

Russell Eric Michael Dadds admitted the offence of criminal damage at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Monday, having previously pleaded not guilty.

The court was told that he damaged the tyres on a Vauxhall Zafira on Saddle Way, the road on which he lives, on June 4.

The 53-year-old was ordered to pay compensation of £100 and costs of £150.

A soldier accused of drink driving in Andover has had his case adjourned to allow him to return from overseas deployment.

Kenroy Ortis Baptiste, whose listed address is the army barracks on Hubert Hamilton Road in Bulford Camp, was due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court last Friday after the offence, which happened on February 28.

Baptiste was charged with driving a vehicle on the A303 whilst more than double over the drink-drive limit.

But court documents show that magistrates decided to adjourn the case at the request of the defence, to allow the defendant to return to the UK from deployment.

The 34-year-old entered a guilty plea in absence. The case will now be heard on October 12 at the same court.

A man has been fined after admitting drug-driving in Andover.

Dominic Woolnough, of Jardine Square, was behind the wheel of a Renault Laguna on Western Avenue on November 7.

The 25-year-old, who pleaded guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court last Thursday, was banned from driving for a year and fined £300.

He was also told to pay costs of £85 and a £34 victim surcharge.