Perfume thief not ‘scent’ to jail
SERIAL CROOK HAD 176 PREVIOUS OFFENCES
A thief returned to the scene of the crime twice in one day to help himself to £150 worth of perfume.
Michael Fox, 40, walked into Debenhams, in The Bridges, on January 20, to steal a bottle of fragrance to sell on, Sunderland magistrates heard.
After experiencing initial success, he returned later in the day only to be caught in the act trying to steal two more bottles and making off with a total haul of £150.
Prosecutor Lee Poppett said: “Mr Fox made his way to the same Debenhams store twice in one day – first stealing a bottle of perfume on its own.
“Returning the same day, he was captured on CCTV selecting two bottles of perfume and leaving.”
He told officers: “I shoplifted three bottles of perfume because I have no money.”
Mr Poppett said: “He said he placed the items in a bag and that he planned to sell them. He appeared to be sorry.
“The first bottle of perfume was not recovered.”
Fox, of Australia Grove, Brockley Whins, South Shields, admitted theft.
He has 176 previous offences, including 80 thefts, on his record, the court heard.
Susan Gray, defending, said: “Mr Fox is a 40-yearold man. He’s single and throughout his life he has struggled. In the past there was a drink problem.
“He served a prison sentence in 2015 and came out in the early part of 2016. He isn’t in breach of post-sentence supervision, he’s re-offended while he hasn’t had money.”
Fox was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge and was told to pay £48 compensation and £20 surcharge.