Shoplifting teenager banned from shops

Feb 4 2010 Kevin Edge

A 15-year-old has been banned from every shop in Cannock town centre after a spate of shoplifting offences.

During a one-day crime spree, the Chadsmoor youth stole over £220-worth of goods from Boots, Morrisons, Specsavers and Xtra Care charity shop.

At Cannock Court last week, he admitted the January 28 thefts and was set to be sentenced at youth court yesterday (Wednesday) where he faces a burglary matter.

Magistrates imposed an order banning The Post from naming the teenager.

The court heard the offences were committed at around 11.30am. When asked through his solicitor Neil Gerrity why he wasn’t at school, he said: “It was raining.”

During last Thursday’s thefts, the youth stole perfume worth £70.30p from Boots, glasses valued at £125 from Specsavers, four DVDs, valued at £7.36 from Xtra Care and a £23.97p haul of video games from Morrisons.

He was caught in Boots. Mr Gerrity told the court: “He has been caught, in effect, stealing from Boots. All the property has been recovered and returned to the stores.” When asked about other property in his possession, the youth admitted it was stolen.

At court last week, he was given bail on condition he was tagged, abided by an 8pm to 7am curfew and didn’t enter any shop in Cannock town centre.

Mr Gerrity said there were no problems with the conditions. “He is 15-years-old and he can rely on his parents to do the shopping.”