THIEF SAID ‘I HAVE GOT COVID’ DURING ‘STRUGGLE’ IN SHOP

Manager grabbed him to stop him stealing chocolate

SHOP thief Scott Docksey assaulted a Morrisons manager who detained him.

The 33-year-old entered the Morrisons Daily, in Newcastle Street, Burslem, on March 24 and stole £15 worth of chocolate.

And when he returned to the shop later that day he stole chocolate for a second time.

But this time the store manager grabbed him to prevent him getting away.

Prosecutor Zaine Riaz told North Staffordshire Justice Centre: “There was a physical struggle.

“The defendant said he had covid. Members of the public had to intervene.”

Docksey, pictured left, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assault and two charges of theft.

Neil O’driscoll, mitigating, said the defendant has been a drug addict for many years. He conceded the offending was ‘despicable’.

Mr O’driscoll added: “He thinks it is a terrible thing to do as well.

“He said he was going to sell the chocolate to buy heroin.”

Magistrates jailed Docksey for 13 weeks.

They ordered him to pay £50 compensation to the store manager, £19 to Morrisons Daily and a £120 surcharge.

Magistrate Jo Fox said:

“It was an unpleasant incident.”