Serial shoplifter jailed for meat thefts from two stores on same day (From The Advertiser Series)

Serial shoplifter jailed for meat thefts from two Durham stores on same day

5:26pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Bruce Unwin, Chief Reporter (Durham)

A SERIAL shoplifter breached previous court orders on a supermarket meat-stealing spree.

Paul Thomas Cox was seen near meat products aisles at Sainsbury’s Local stores in both Framwellgate Moor and Gilesgate, Durham, within 90 minutes on January 11.

Durham Crown Court heard he left both without paying for any items, but examination of cctv footage revealed he took meat portions and joints from each store.

Police were called by staff and Cox was arrested near the Gilesgate store.

Mr Wilkinson said the ten meat items were found in a bag he was carrying, but were not offered for re-sale, causing a loss of £60 to Sainsbury’s.

Cox made admissions but told police he was recently released from custody with no money.

The court heard he has 52 convictions for 175 offences, including 98 for theft.

Mr Wilkinson said the latest offences put him in breach of a community order imposed for shoplifting days earlier, which in turn breached a previous suspended sentence.

Cox, 36, of Cuthbert Avenue, Sherburn Road, Durham, admitted two counts of theft.

Paul Cross, mitigating, said at the time of the latest thefts he had been released from court custody, which, unlike release from a prison term, meant he received no subsistence money.

He was trying to arrange benefit payments and so stole the meat to sell to make some immediate cash.

Jailing him for a total of 40 weeks, Judge Simon Hickey told Cox: “When you come out you will be clear of all court orders.

“Support accommodation should be lined up and, hopefully, there should be no repeat of this situation."

Cox was also ordered to pay a mandatory £80 victim surcharge.