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'Only surviving son' banned from Brighton
2:17pm Friday 4th July 2008
The mother of a man found dead last week wept as she pleaded with magistrates to release her only surviving son.
Alfie Vinall, 39, stole a shopworker's purse two days after the body of his 37-year-old brother Stephen, was discovered in East Brighton Park.
Their mother, Diana Vinall, told Brighton Magistrates' Court she would welcome Alfie back into her home in Lewes if he was granted bail until he was sentenced.
She said: "I've lost one son. Please don't take him away from me. I need him."
Magistrates granted her wish - but banned Alfie from Brighton.
He is only allowed back to attend his brother's funeral, return to court or keep appointments with his solicitors or probation officers.
The court was told Stephen, Alfie and their two sisters have struggled with heroin addiction.
Stephen's body was discovered by a member of the public on Sunday morning.
Post-mortem tests into his death were inconclusive and police are waiting for the results of tests on the level of drugs in his system to establish how he died.
Alfie Vinall's solicitor, Joe Harrington, told magistrates Stephen's death had shocked his brother into realising he must beat his addiction.
He said: "This is something that has been a very great wake-up call for him in the way he lives his life."
Vinall, of Providence Place, Brighton, stole electric razors worth £468 and electric toothbrushes worth £128 from Boots stores in Brighton in April.
On Tuesday, two days after his brother's body was found, an accomplice distracted a worker in Starfish clothes shop, in Gardner Street, Brighton, while Vinall stole her purse from her bag.
Vinall was remanded in custody until his release yesterday.
He was arrested by police officers working on an operation to catch bag and purse thieves in shopping areas.
Vinall admitted the crimes and magistrates adjourned his sentencing until July 24.
He must live at his mother's address in Deans Meadow, Barcombe, near Lewes, and stay indoors from 9pm to 6am every day.
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