Macclesfield Express

Opportunis­t thief avoids jail term

- KAREN BRITTON

ATHIEF who stole spice racks from a bargain shop has avoided being sent back to prison.

Carl Patrick Simpson, 35, saw his chance to swipe a box containing four spice racks from B&M Bargains on Exchange Street when it was left on a pallet in the loading yard.

But he was spotted by a security guard who was watching CCTV and was arrested, Macclesfie­ld Magistrate­s court heard.

Simpson, of Red House, Masons Lane, Macclesfie­ld, committed the offence while on licence after release from prison for an earlier offence and risked being sent back to prison for his crime.

But magistrate­s heard he is making efforts to turn his life around and decided to suspend his sentence.

Prosecutin­g, Debbie Byrne, said: “The security guard was monitoring CCTV and saw the defendant enter the loading area for staff and deliveries only.

“He walked into the yard and took a box containing four spice racks worth £10 each from a pallet containing stock for the shop.

“He was intercepte­d and said he thought the box was empty. He started to shout and swear and police arrived and took him away.

“He said it was opportunis­tic when he passed the open yard and knew the box belonged to B&M.”

The court heard he has 43 previous conviction­s for 45 offences.

Simpson pleaded guilty on Tuesday, January 5 to theft of the spice racks worth £40 on December 17 last year.

The court heard he’s been working with probation’s community rehabilita­tion team since his release from prison.

Defending, Tony Birchall, said: “He’s been engaging with the community team but has been struggling with finances since he left prison.

“It was an opportunis­tic offence and the goods were recovered.

“He is now in settled accommodat­ion with his girlfriend.

“I would ask that his sentence is suspended today. To send him to prison would mean he has to start from scratch.”

Magistrate­s gave him a six month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, a curfew from 7pm to 7am and £80 victim surcharge.

Chairman of the bench Denise Rankin said: “This crossed the custody threshold but we are not sending you to prison today.

“This is an opportunit­y for you. We are told you’re starting to make changes and hope will not to see you again.”

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 ??  ?? ●● Carl Simpson stole spice racks from B&M
●● Carl Simpson stole spice racks from B&M

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