Shirebrook burglar and shoplifter is jailed after he raided a shed and struck at a Co-op
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Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on November 27 how Ian Gilding Thomas, 31, of Patchwork Row, Shirebrook, stole a Makita impact drive, charger and battery pack from a shed and went on to steal Haribo sweet tubs from a Co-op in the town.
Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop told a previous hearing that the complainant returned home from work on October 9 and discovered his shed door open and that his Makita impact drive, charger and battery pack were missing.
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Hide AdThe complainant examined CCTV footage, according to Mrs Allsop, and he saw a male wandering around a field at the back of his garden before coming to his shed at Shirebrook.
Thomas told police he had come from a friend’s house on the same street and went over a field and went into the shed after he claimed it was open.
He added that he had sold the stolen items for £20 to an unknown person because he has a £40 a week drug habit.
Thomas, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to entering the shed as a trespasser with intent to steal.
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Hide AdDefence solicitor Julie Page told a previous hearing Thomas has been living as a homeless person but he has recently been allowed to stay with his sister.
She added that he became homeless after a relationship collapsed and he was subject to benefit sanctions and was drug dependent and relying on alcohol.
Thomas’s original case had been adjourned to consider a probation report but he failed to return to court for sentencing on November 13 and a warrant had to be issued for his arrest.
He subsequently admitted failing to surrender to custody and also pleaded guilty to the theft of sweets valued at £40 from a Co-op, on Victoria Street, Shirebrook, on November 5.
The defendant was sentenced to ten weeks of custody and was ordered to pay £170 in compensation.