‘Distinctive’ thief could not claim UC, court is told
WELL-KNOWN OFFENDER WITH NO BENEFITS USED FOOD BANKS
A ‘ WELL-KNOWN’ criminal who swiped a bottle of rum from a Huddersfield town centre supermarket was bound to get caught because of his distinctive features, a court heard.
Mark Smith, who has 70 offences to his name, admitted to the theft when he appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.
He was caught stealing from the Market Street branch of Sainsbury’s on February 16.
Prosecutor Robert Yates said he went straight to the alcohol aisle, removed the security tag from a bottle of white rum and then squeezed past the tills to the toilets.
The 44-year-old then attempted to leave the store but was detained by staff and police were called.
His solicitor Mike Sisson-Pell explained that there was a significant gap between Smith’s last court appearance in October last year and his previous conviction dating back to 2014.
He said that he began offending again because he had not received his benefits since October.
Mr Sisson-Pell said: “He doesn’t know how to use a computer or have access to one so his claim for Universal Credit (UC) wasn’t dealt with. Since then he has managed to get help and put in a claim but it will still take several weeks to go through.
“He has been living by going to the food bank and the only way he can get alcohol is by friends and theft.
“He’s a well-known figure around the town and distinctive looking.
“He was obviously going to get caught on this occasion and he was.
“He went along quietly and admitted the offence even though he didn’t remember it.”
Magistrates handed Smith, of Whitehead Lane in Primrose Hill, a 12 month conditional discharge. This means he will not be punished if he stays out of trouble over that time.
He still has to pay a £20 victim surcharge.