Shoplifter who used boxer shorts disguise jailed

 

Carl Robinson was arrested by the Ferryhill Neighbourhood Policing Team yesterday (July 29) after stealing meat and butter from the town’s Co-op and B&M stores in recent weeks.

 

The 32-year-old was twice seen on CCTV trying to hide his face with a pair of boxers and unfortunately for him neighbourhood officers understood the brief and were easily able to identify the prolific criminal after having dealt with him several times before.

 

Robinson, of Ferryhill, was subsequently charged with ten shop thefts and an attempted shop theft and put before the Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today (July 30).

 

After the evidence proved ‘undie-niable’, Robinson indicated guilty pleas to all charges and was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison as he was in breach of a previous conditional discharge for similar offences.

 

He was also ordered to pay nearly £700 in compensation.

 

A/Sergeant Craig McGuire, of Ferryhill Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The team has worked hard to secure these convictions for this prolific shoplifter who never seems to learn.

 

“Shoplifting has no place in our community. It has a detrimental impact on the hardworking staff at these stores and members of the public who witness these offences being committed and it will not be tolerated.

 

“A custodial sentence is welcomed by the team who will continue to put offenders back before the courts where you live.”

 

Robinson was the town’s most prolific shoplifter in Ferryhill this month, being responsible for 14 of a total of 17 charges put before the courts.

 

A second man who was charged with three counts shoplifting is due to appear at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court next month.