'It was desperation' - Prolific crook who targeted South Tyneside College in theft spree is spared jail
Crook who targeted South Tyneside College twice and other locations, has been spared jail despite a series of thefts.
A burglar who targeted South Tyneside College twice in four days – pinching goods including computers and packed lunches – has been spared jail.
Scott Wilson, 35, who also smashed the site’s roof in a separate incident and committed two shopliftings – was jailed for 40 weeks, a sentence immediately suspended.
The bald-headed offender, of Coston Drive, South Shields, first broke into the St George’s Avenue college site in South Shields on Thursday, February 12, a court heard.
He pinched an iPhone, briefcase, laptop, MacBook Pro, a coat, a set of keys, headphones and a bag.
Wilson returned on Monday, February 16, and swiped chocolate and packed lunches to a value unknown.
And on Sunday, March 22, he caused damage to the roof but was spotted by the caretaker when suspected of trying to break in and fled, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.
In between, he stole Argos parcels from the Sainsbury’s store in Binchester Street, and boxes of chocolates from Tesco, in Sea Winnings Way, both South Shields.
No known value was attached to the Sainsbury's theft on Monday, February 23, but he took £154 of goods from Tesco on Saturday, April 4.
Of the burglaries, prosecutor Carlie McArdle said: “On February 12, he smashed a window in the music department and got into the staff room and took items related to staff.
“In the early hours of the morning of February 16, he forced his way in and took various items.
“On March 22, the college caretaker heard the smashing of glass and located the defendant on the roof of the building.
“He shouted for him to get down. A window was smashed on the roof. It is believed he was trying to gain entry.”
Mrs McArdle said of Wilson’s thefts: “On February 23, the defendant entered Sainsburys and took two parcels and left without paying.
“At Tesco, there is CCTV, and the defendant has entered an area at the back gate and taken boxes, valued at £154, and again made off without paying.”
Wilson pleaded guilty to two counts each of burglary of a non-dwelling property and theft from a shop, and one of causing criminal damage.
He has 30 previous convictions from 68 offences, which include 36 for theft or kindred.
David Forrester, defending, said: “His most recent criminal record is 2022, and he was subject to a recent two-year sentence for burglary.
‘He went back to prison after being on licence and was then released in March last year and had been out of trouble for a year.
“He was initially resettled but was then homeless and he was homeless when these offences took place, it was desperation and to sustain himself.”
District Judge Zoe Passfield told Wilson his latest offences were made more serious due to his previous convictions which include several burglaries.
She jailed him for 32 weeks for the second burglary and to 12 concurrent weeks for the first, and to two consecutive four-week terms for each theft.
The judge also jailed Wilson for three concurrent weeks for causing criminal damage, all suspended for 18 months.
He must pay compensation of £154 to Tesco and £180 to the college.