Former security man Bryan Hall used his mobility scooter to go shoplifting in Nottingham.
Nottingham Magistrates Court heard that 56-year-old claimed to be so hard-up that he was stealing items and selling them to buy food – and was seen talking to a market trader. An 18-month conditional discharge was imposed on Hall, who used crutches when he appeared in the dock today . He admitted four charges of stealing last month. Deputy District Judge Peter King said the offences were committed “in a very unsophisticated way”.
He told jobless Hall: “Your record is an appalling one; though it seemed to have finished in 2008 . It is a great pity you are back on the radar after such a long time.
“Just keep out of trouble otherwise action might be something more unpleasant . Had it not been for your poor health, I might have considered a less comfortable disposal for you . If you start offending again, you may find yourself in custody.”
Read more: Police hunting this couple over Hucknall shop theft2
Alison Hallett, prosecuting, said Hall, of Connelly Court, Bulwell, was on a mobility scooter when seen taking perfume from the Boots store on Lower Parliament Street on July 15 and 16.
“The defendant was later arrested when it appeared he was selling some items to a market trader,” she said.
“Security saw him looking at perfume . On one occasion, he picked up a bracelet on the way out and wanted to sell it for money.”
James Buckley, mitigating, said: “He did know he drew attention to himself by committing these offences while in a mobility scooter . These were very unsophisticated offences.
“He needed money for food and rather stupidly went out and stole these items to buy food . He used to do security work but has had no full-time job since 1997.”
Hall pleaded guilty to stealing perfume worth 54 from Boots on July 15; perfume of unknown value from the same store the next day; theft of a 50 bracelet from House of Fraser on July 16 and theft of clothing from BHS that day. He was ordered to pay 100 compensation to Boots3, 85 prosecution costs and a government surcharge of 20 . The bracelet was taken from him. The court was told that it was impossible to discover the value of the goods taken from BHS because of the closure of the high street chain.
Mr Buckley added: “A more ruthless person would have realised that with British Home Stores ceasing to trade, there would be no evidence against him .
This charge came about because he not only made admissions but then pleaded guilty.”
Read more: Two men arrested after affray on tram4
References
- ^ Comments (1) (www.nottinghampost.com)
- ^ Police hunting this couple over Hucknall shop theft (www.nottinghampost.com)
- ^ Boots (www.nottinghampost.com)
- ^ Two men arrested after affray on tram (www.nottinghampost.com)