Shoplifter sent to prison just weeks after being spared jail

A prolific Northumberland thief who ignored a court order just days after being spared jail is now behind bars.

Adam Watson was wanted by officers last month in connection with 10 shoplifting offences across a two-week period at a variety of shops in Guide Post.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to all charges at South East Northumberland Magistrates Court on May 22, and was sentenced to 20 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for a year.

However, the shoplifter spurned his final warning and his freedom when he was arrested again less than a fortnight later, on June 3, after committing three further thefts.

Watson, of Broadway, Guide Post, stole three bottles of vodka from Asda on Lintonville Terrace in Ashington, meat from the Co-op store on North Seaton and bags of coal from the Jet garage in Stakeford.

He was convicted of theft at the same court on Wednesday, June 5, along with the breach of a restraining order, and sentenced to 34 weeks in prison.

Constable Philip Oliver, of Northumbria Police, said: “Watson was given a final chance to clear up his act but has clearly not learnt his lesson, and this is a good result which has seen a repeat offender imprisoned.

“He has shown no remorse for his actions or showed any signs of attempting to change his behaviour, and I am pleased he will no longer cause any disruption for retailers in the near future.”

Constable Oliver added: “We recognise the impact offences of this nature have upon the community as a whole.

“We will continue to pursue offenders who believe they are entitled to take what isn’t theirs, and bring them to justice.

“We will also pursue those who knowingly take in and handle items stolen from retailers by these types of offenders.”

Anyone wishing to report a crime or share any information should contact us via the ‘Report’ page of the Northumbria Police website, or by calling 101.

In the event of an emergency, always call 999.