A man who stole more than £1,270 worth of goods from 2 national chain supermarkets will be sentenced in November.
Jamie Hewitt, 42, of Green Street in Ryde, admitted 2 counts of theft from a shop when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier this week (Tuesday).
Prosecuting, Lauren McConnell, told the court that on the 18th July, Hewitt entered Sainsbury’s in Newport in a wheelchair before he moved into a store-provided mobility scooter.
Hewitt then proceeded to go round the store placing numerous meat products, totalling around £360, in the basket of the scooter before leaving the store without paying.
Just a few weeks later, Hewitt entered Tesco Extra in Ryde and placed alcohol, meat items, pet goods and security into a trolley before leaving without making payment. Hewitt was identified by in-store CCTV. The total amount stolen from Tesco was £953.48.
The court heard how Hewitt, who has a total of 76 offences on his record, was on court bail at the time of offences.
Defending Hewitt, Michael McGoldrick, told the court that Hewitt had spent a considerable amount of time in hospital at the time of the offending.
The case was adjourned until the 28th November when a pre-sentence report is to be compiled.
There must come a time when courts take theft seriously, it is costing shops millions and this only goes into higher prices for those that actually pay for there shopping.
Shops should employ security guards like they did in the
old days.
Shops are saving millions and millions of pounds by employing
less staff by using self service tills.
Obviously some people are taking self service to another
level.