Shoplifter stole ‘out of necessity’

CAUGHT ON STORE’S CCTV CAMERAS AS HE TOOK FOOD

A man caught stealing food and flowers worth more than £200 from a Tesco Express was acting out of desperation, a court heard.

Kyle Potter walked into the shop in High Street, Sileby, with two others – who were not identified in court –and selected the groceries before heading for the exit.

However, staff had spotted what he was up to and followed him outside to challenge him.

At that point, 22-year-old Potter dropped the stolen goods and ran away.

He managed to escape but was later traced by police thanks to the shop’s CCTV footage of the incident.

He appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court via a video link to HMP Peterborough to plead guilty to a single shoplifting charge dating from May.

The court heard he is serving a two-and-a-half-sentence for burglary, which was imposed in October.

Prosecutor Neil Hollett told the court Potter was a “three-strikes” burglar, meaning he had been jailed because he had racked up his third conviction for the offence.

Mr Hollett said: “CCTV shows all three selecting items and leaving the store without making any attempt to pay.

“Staff followed outside and the items are dropped.” Potter’s solicitor David Hallmark said: “This offence was not born out of a need to fund drug or alcohol misuse, but out of financial necessity and hardship.

“He was not in employment and benefits payments were extremely limited. “The offence was not particularly sophisticated. He filled up a bag and left and then dropped it and ran away. There is no confrontation with anyone.”

Most of the goods were returned to the shop although some, said to be worth about £5, were damaged when Potter dropped them, Mr Hallmark said.

He said: “He was not apprehended immediately but was identified from CCTV. “When interviewed by police he made full and frank admissions.” Magistrates sentenced Potter to 21 days in custody.

The sentence will be served consecutively with the existing sentence. Potter, whose address was given in court as HMP Peterborough, was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128 once he is released from custody and is working or receiving benefits.

The offence was not sophisticated. He filled up a bag and left and then dropped it and ran away

David Hallmark, for Potter