Thief told guards he was armed with a knife
A PROLIFIC criminal stole from a Huddersfield town centre supermarket after threatening to security guards that he was armed.
Thomas Roberts, who has more than 100 convictions on his record, was caught trying to swipe goods from Sainsbury’s in Market Street.
He fled from the store after lying to staff that he had a knife on him.
The 34-year-old, who did not appear in court as he is in custody, pleaded guilty via his solicitor to the theft on September 7.
Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said the incident happened shortly after 7pm.
Roberts was witnessed hiding spirits, cosmetics and a radio worth a total of £155 in his clothing before exiting the store.
Mr Bozman told Kirklees magistrates: “He was seen on CCTV by store staff acting suspiciously and they challenged him.
“He told them he had a knife on him and left the store.”
Roberts, of Elmfield Avenue in Longwood, was subsequently detained outside.
All of the stolen property was recovered from his jacket but no knife was found.
In July this year Roberts was ordered to take part in a special programme aimed at rehabilitating shoplifters after getting caught stealing seven bottles of perfume from Boots in the town centre.
He has a long criminal record and in December 2016 was jailed for more than two years for burglary after leaving blood at the scene of the break-in in Newsome.
Then Leeds Crown Court was told that his offending stemmed from his abuse of drugs.
His solicitor Sonia Kidd explained to magistrates that he is currently a serving prisoner, having been jailed for eight weeks for similar offences.
He is not due for release until October 8. Magistrates fined him £72.