Thief stole almost £300-worth of goods from two South Shields shops in the space of five days
A man whose life spiralled out of control due to drug misuse has been jailed for three thefts against two South Tyneside retailers.
Michael Wright, 36, was put behind bars for 12 weeks after appearing in court to admit targeting Co-op and Sainsbury’s outlets in the space of five days.
Homeless Wright pinched four bottles of vodka, priced at £99, from Sainsbury’s in Prince Edward Road, South Shields, on Friday, January 9.
He returned the next day and made off with a further five bottles of the same booze, valued at £123, prosecutor Michael Embleton said.
Wright completed his crime spree on Tuesday, January 13, when he stole 14 packs of mince, totalling £73, from the Co-op in Mortimer Road, also South Shields.
South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard Wright had run his own business and was a family man until losing everything through cocaine misuse around two years ago.
Mr Embleton said of Wright’s offences: “There doesn’t appear to be anything that jumps out.
“I’ve had the opportunity of seeing his record. The application for compensation is £295. Nothing was recovered.”
From the dock, Wright pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from a shop and asked for three further thefts to be taken into account, totalling around £60.
They were two offences against Sainsbury’s, including a theft of vodka, and one at a branch of Iceland, all between Friday, January 16, and Friday, January 23.
Joanne Gatens, defending, told District Judge Zoe Passfield: “There were guilty pleas at the first opportunity and cooperation with the police.
“He was released from custody three weeks earlier and was homeless. You’ll see from his record, his offences are over just two years.
“He had a business and a family, but cocaine use means he has lost everything. There is an inevitability about what you’ll do.
“It’s an unfortunate situation for Mr Wright. He recognises that he’s not in the position to do an awful lot to change his position.
“He’s hoping that if he gets accommodation that maybe he can put his life back on track. It’s been the winter months, desperation.”
Judge Passfield jailed Wright for 12 weeks for each theft, to run concurrently, and ordered him to pay full compensation. There were no court costs.
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