STEALING £475 OF GIN AND VODKA FROM WAITROSE PUT SERIAL OFFENDER IN BREACH OF SUSPENDED SENTENCE

48-year-old Richard Sullivan has been remanded in custody and warned he faces more than 2 years in prison following his latest conviction for stealing £475 of gin and vodka from Waitrose. Sullivan, currently of Yelfs Hotel in Ryde, pleaded guilty to 3 charges of theft from a shop when he appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The court heard that Sullivan had, in this latest offence, walked into Waitrose in East Cowes last Friday (12th January) and filled bags full of alcohol. In total, he stole 22 bottles of gin and vodka as he brazenly walked out the door without paying. He also committed 2 offences at Sainsbury’s in Ryde, on 15th and 20th December last year, when he stole fizzy drinks, bread, chocolate and other fresh and frozen products – to the total value of £23. Magistrates heard from prosecutor Liz Miller that these latest offences put Sullivan in breach of not only a Magistrates Court suspended sentence, but also a Crown Court suspended sentence. Defending, Barry Arnett said that Sullivan now faces – without a doubt – up to 2-and-a-half years in prison for breaching the suspended sentences imposed just last year. Mr Arnett said that Sullivan – a carer for his wife – stole the items to pay for storage costs as the family had been forced to move home a number of times. The case has been adjourned to the Crown Court for sentencing on 20th February, where it is anticipated suspended sentences will be activated by a Judge. Despite a bail application, Richard Sullivan has been remanded in custody until that time.