Serial raider is caught in the act - again

A PROLIFIC thief once banned from entering every supermarket in the UK has been back up to his old tricks.

In January 2019, Lee Stephenson was given a 12-month exclusion order by a judge which prohibited him from going into any food stores in the country.

In the months which followed, the 33-year-old became unwell and underwent a heart transplant - but that did not stop him soon reverting to type.

A court heard the crook was caught stealing from shops in September this year and, just one month later, he was at it again.

This time, Stephenson helped himself to meat and air fresheners from Lidl in Benwell, but, like so many times before, was caught in the act.

He had been due at North

Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on October 30 but failed to show and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Stephenson, of Jenison Avenue, Benwell, appeared in court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to one count of shop theft and one of failing to surrender to custody.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge.