A shoplifter who tried to use underwear as a disguise has been 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 of shoplifting is due to appear at Peterlee
Magistrates’ Court next month.
