Thief stole £75 worth of Smarties
A sweet-toothed thief has been ordered to pay compensation after he stole £75 worth of Smarties from Poundland.
Anthony Black was captured on CCTV making-off with the sugary haul but was caught when he returned to the Byker branch of the store a day later.
And the 46-year-old’s chocolate craving has now proved pricey after a judge ordered him to pay compensation and and additional £85 in court costs.
Black, of Orpington Avenue, Walker, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to one count of shop theft.
Lee Poppett, prosecuting, said the renowned crook, who has 173 offences etched on his criminal career, went into Poundland, on the Fossway, in Byker, on the afternoon of November 7 last year.
“He’s taken £75 worth of smarties, which is not an insignificant amount, and left the store without paying,” Mr Poppett added.
“The incident is caught on CCTV and the defendant is arrested when he returned to the store a day later.”
The court heard that Black suffered with a number of issues in his life.
Alanna Wesencraft, defending, said the theft was not sophisticated as Black was easily recognisable from the CCTV.
She added: “Mr Black has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity and I would invite you to give him full credit for that.”
Sentencing him, Deputy District Judge Wajid Khalil said he’d taken Black’s plea into consideration.
The judge continued: “I’m going to deal with this by way of a compensation order, which you will pay to Poundland.”