Life’s not a box of chocolates for thief

A notorious thief who swiped £ 20 worth of chocolate is tasting custody for his trouble.

Gary Nixon, 40, was caught red handed as he lifted four tubs of Celebrations at Iceland in the town’s Glasgow Road.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard Nixon, who has a lengthy history of crimes of dishonesty, knew the game was up and handed over the goods to vigilant staff.

The accused, who once stole a neighbour’s lawnmower, as well as racking numerous convictions for shoplifting, appeared from custody where he admitted his latest offence.

Defence agent Chris McKenna said Nixon had been keeping out of trouble for the last three years, but had fallen back into his old ways involving stealing to fuel his drug addiction.

Mr McKenna said: “It was four tubs of Celebrations. They were worth £ 20. He was caught. And he fully cooperated with staff and handed over the chocolates to staff.”

Fiscal depute Hazel Emmerson confirmed there had been “full recovery” of the sweets.

The accused who is serving a 13-month sentence at HMP Low Moss but formerly of Tannahill Crescent, Johnstone, pleaded guilty to the charge of shoplifting a quantity of food in Paisley on November 27.

He was caged last month for possession of drugs.

However, Sheriff Craig Harris took a dim view of Nixon’s record, telling the accused: “Days after you were released on bail from this court you went out and committed more crime.”

He handed him 40 days in jail to run consecutively from his current 13-month sentence.