A self-confessed ‘scumbag’ who has over 100 theft and kindred offences on his criminal record has been ordered to pay compensation to the Co-op.
Paul Smart, 38, of Orchardleigh Road in Shanklin, admitted a single count of theft from a shop when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday (26th November).
Crown prosecutor Lauren McConnell told the court that on 20th October, Police received a report of a theft from Shanklin’s Co-op store on Landguard Road.
On the day in question, a male entered the store and placed several meat items into a bag before leaving the store making no attempt to pay. Smart was identified by a member of staff who recognised him from a previous incident. The items stolen were valued at £22.90.
Smart has a total of 66 convictions for 181 offences with 101 of those for theft of kindred matters.
Defending Smart, Brian McMonnies told the court that Smart had been honest and said that he was stealing the items to sell on to fund his addiction issues. The court also heard how Smart described himself as a ‘scumbag’ who ‘knows he hasn’t led a clean life’.
Magistrates ordered Smart pay compensation of £22.90 to The Co-op.
Not the smartest tool in the shed.
surely, paying £22.90 when the goods he store were worth £22.90 is just ‘paying for your shopping’…
it’s not ‘compensation’ (the Coop are not being compensated for the time, cost and hassle of reporting him etc),
and it not exactly a deterrent either,.. just having to pay for your shopping, like 99.99% of the population does anyway.
181 previous offences and not even a fine when he does it again? He’s just told to pay for his shopping.
It does make you wonder what the point is. He probably gets away with his thefts 9 times out of 10, and, when he’s caught, he’s just told to pay for his shopping.
Surely it would be better for all concerned for this man to be forced on to a rehabilitation program and helped to recover from his drug addiction? Cheaper in the long term.