Prolific shoplifters get suspended jail terms as court recognises positive changes

Yahoo

12 hours ago

SUSPENDED jail terms have been handed to a man and a woman from Carlisle who have admitted a spate of shoplifting offences.
Danielle Nicholson, 35, and Matthew Thompson, 31, both of Mayfield Avenue, entered guilty pleas to a series of thefts committed at local stores in recent weeks.
Both have a history of previous offending. Magistrates described their offending as 'prolific' but drew back from handing them an immediate jail term after a defence lawyer said both can be rehabilitated.
Nicholson stole from the Co-op in Central Avenue, Harraby, on June 7, 18, and 21, taking sweets and various meat items, including eight steaks.
On the last occasion, Carlisle's Rickergate court heard, she was challenged by the staff because she is barred from the store. Despite this, she refused to stop stuffing items into her bag before leaving.
On that one occasion, the left with goods worth £41, making no attempt to pay.
Four days later, she and Thompson went on a joint shoplifting trip to the Aldi store on Petteril Bank Road in Carlisle, stealing goods worth £27.
Thompson admitted two thefts from Aldi on June 25 as well as six further thefts from the Co-op and Spar stores on dates in May, June and July.
Defence lawyer Lauren Heasley represented both defendants.
For Nicholson, the lawyer said she had experienced difficulties in her life which have left her with long-term trauma. 'She was stealing from shops to feed herself and to fund her drug habit,' said Ms Heasley.
'She is 35 and wants today to mark the end of her offending,' said the lawyer.
'She is motivated to change and there is a recommendation [in the background Probation Service report] for female focused work to assist in her rehabilitation.
"She is willing to work with that.'
Nicholson had learned of the death of a relative two days ago, an event which in the past would have sent her down the path of alcohol abuse and self-destruction, but she had remained strong and resisted that reaction.
'She wants to show that she's committed to change,' said Ms Heasley. Referring to Thompson, Ms Heasley said he too was capable of rehabilitating.
He had secured a job as a roofer and was engaging well with services to tackle drug misuse. The job had given him a sense of pride.
Magistrates noted Nicholson's deprived background and the long period since she was last had a community-based sentence.
They imposed eight weeks custody but suspended this for a year, ruling that she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity days.
Addressing Thompson, magistrates said he had taken steps to improve his life. He too must complete 12 rehabilitation activity days, in his case as part of a 12-week jail term suspended for a year.
Both defendants must compensate the shops they stole from for the loss of goods which were not recovered – in Nicholson's case to the tune of £199 and in Thompson's case the amount was £218.
Neither was asked to pay costs.