Serial Jarrow offender given '˜last chance' to stay out of jail

Jack Reed was slapped with a second suspended prison term in as many years after snatching £56 worth of clothing from Next in South Shields before stealing a £83 haul of electrical items from Asda in South Shields.

The brazen 20-year even wore one of the hoodies he swiped from the shelves as he made a sharp exit from the clothing brand on his way to his next theft.

Reed was caught out after he triggered a security alarm as he left Asda with the unpaid goods.

Reed, of Ellison Street, Jarrow, admitted two counts of shop theft when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrates were told that Reed was handed an 18-week custodial sentence - suspended for 12 months - last February after stealing three mobile phones, a computer tablet and a games console from his mum’s home.

He was locked up in July of that year for a bail act offence.

Now he was been told to stay out of trouble - or face another stint behind bars.

Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said: “At 1.40pm on Wednesday, May 25, Reed entered the Next store in South Shields.

“He was caught on CCTV selected a £28 hoodie and going into a changing room before emerging wearing the hoodie under a blue denim coat.

“He took another hoodie valued at £28 before leaving the store.

“At 2.05pm he set off a security alarm after taking DVDs and a memory card from Asda.

“He ran away from the store before being located by police.”

“All of the items were recovered.”

David Hatfield, defending, said Reed had begun to turn his life around before his ‘stupid’ actions.

He said: “He has admitted the two offences and made no attempt to prevaricate.

“While his previous convictions are not helpful, there has been a significant change in his life.

“He has his own property and is working and is also on a training course to gain well paid work in the North Sea.

Gary Cracknell, chair of the magistrates, said: “Your record does you no favours.

“You went out with the intention of carrying out thefts.

“The custody threshold has been passed but we will suspend the sentence.

“You will not be given another chance.

“Next time bring a bag, as you won’t be going home.

“We will not tolerate theft.”