Thief who stole from Sunderland and South Shields shops given around 108 years to pay fines

David Gibson, 42, of Lewis Crescent, Hendon, appeared before a judge to face his latest charges – two thefts from a shop.

At South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, it was said in evidence he owes that staggering amount from past criminality.

He is believed to be paying it back at the lowest possible rate of just £20 a month.

That means the wheelchair user will be debt-free by around the year 2133 – but time may not be on his side.

At his latest court appearance, he was ordered to cough up another £37.17 in compensation after pleading guilty to both theft allegations.

Gibson stole £25.20 of alcohol from Tesco’s store in Sunderland’s Bridges shopping centre on Thursday, September 11, prosecutor Jade Houston said.

Two days later, he travelled around seven miles to make off with £11.97 of alcohol from Home Bargains’ outlet at Millbank, South Shields.

Ms Houston added: “Bridges centre CCTV shows the defendant taking items and not paying for them.

“At Home Bargains, it was alcohol. He told staff that he was taking the items and there was nothing that they could do about it.

“No goods were recovered. He has 17 previous convictions from 28 offences, of which 18 are for theft.”

David Forrester, defending, told District Judge Zoe Passfield: “He owes over £26,000 in fines outstanding. It’s up to you about compensation.”

Judge Passfield ordered Gibson to pay full compensation to the retailers. She did not impose court costs.

She told him: “That will be added to the fines you are already paying.”