A COCAINE user has admitted carrying out three knifepoint muggings in an attempt to pay off debts to his dealer.
Autistic Lewis Stewart owed money for drugs when he carried out the three street robberies in Teignmouth in September last year.
Stewart, aged 21, of St Patrick’s Close, Teignmouth, admitted robbing three men of a mobile phone, cash, bank cards, a driving licence and a set of keys on September 6 and 8 last year.
Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, adjourned the case, ordered a probation report, and remanded Stewart in custody until next month.
Mr William Parkhill, defending, said: ‘These were three knifepoint robberies so there can only be one sentence but this defendant is only 21 and has an unenviable record.
‘He has a long history of contact with the probation service and a history of mental health issues, which I would wish to have more documentation about.
‘He is due to see a psychiatrist at prison this week and it may be useful to have some input from that as well as background information from his GP.
‘Drugs have not been prevalent in his offending in the past but the reason these robberies were committed was an attempt to satisfy a debt incurred by the use of cocaine.’
Stewart has previously served a 21-month sentence for having sex with a 15-year-old girl and harbouring a 14-year-old runaway at his home.
Both those offences came at a time when he was subject to a restraining order, imposed as a result of fears about his behaviour, which banned any contact with any girl under 16.
After his release he broke a Sexual Offences Prevention Order by moving out of probation approved accommodation in Plymouth to live with a mother whose child lived with her.