Sneak thief caught on camera stealing phone

A sneaky burglar’s number was up when he stole a pricey mobile phone when its owner’s back was turned during a retail unit renovation.

Ex-jailbird Ian McCabe, 38, walked into Lucky Cat Bobo, a formervapeshopinParkLane, Sunderland,andtookthe£300 Samsung device – and fled.

ThedadstruckonWednesday, April 28, when the owner was at the rear sorting ongoing renovations while the outlet was closed to business.

But CCTV was checked, andMcCabe,ofTathamStreet, Sunderland, was caught on camera – and was soon arrested.

Despite his quick detainment by police, the phone was not recovered, leaving his victim out of pocket, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.

Prosecutor Lesley Burgess said: “The complainant has recently begun to renovate some premises in Park Lane to move his business. He was intheshopdoingsomerenovation, and there was no signage up on the shop.

“He was out at the back of the shop, and he then noticed thathisSamsungphonewhich had been left on the side, was no longer there.

“CCTV showed this male entering and picking up the phone and leaving.

“ItwasduetoCCTVthatthe defendant was identified as being responsible. The phone wasn’trecovered.Itwasvalued at around £300.”

The court heard McCabe was subject to a six-month conditional discharge and had served several prison terms in a lengthy criminal career.

McCabe pleaded guilty to burglary.

Magistrates sentenced him to a 12-week community order and a matching 9pm to 7am electronically monitored curfew.

McCabe must also pay his victim £300 compensation.