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Derby shoplifter Stuart Crofts returned to crime after his benefits were stopped

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A 36-YEAR-OLD turned to shoplifting after he was told his benefits were being stopped "as he had not made enough effort to find work".

Stuart Crofts escaped from supermarket security staff after they stopped him when he tried to walk out of the store carrying a bottle of champagne and three legs of lamb.

But moments later he walked into a nearby hardware store and fled carrying tools he had stolen.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court heard that Crofts, of London Road, Alvaston, was chased and caught by police and arrested for the offences.

At the time he was on bail for stealing two blocks of cheese from another store three days earlier.

Jazz Soodi, for Crofts, said: "These were not sophisticated crimes. He simply walked out of the store while trying to conceal the items.

"He said his benefits had been stopped as was not making enough effort to find work."

Peter Bettany, prosecuting, said the first offence took place on November 29 when Crofts walked into the Iceland supermarket in Derby's intu centre, picked up two blocks of cheese and tried to walk out with them.

On that occasion he was stopped by security staff, the police were called and Crofts was arrested.

Three days later, on December 2, Crofts and a second man entered the Co-operative store, in Borrowash, picked up the meat and champagne and again tried to leave without paying.

Mr Bettany said: "They started arguing with the staff at the store before running off and into a nearby hardware store.

"A few moments later they were seen running out of the hardware store and were caught by police."

Mr Bettany said a second man had denied the offence and was awaiting trial.

Crofts pleaded guilty to two counts of shoplifting in relation to the three incidents.

Mr Soodi said: "Mr Crofts accepts that he has a record but there was a significant gap in his offending between 2004 and 2011.

"During that time he was caring for both of his parents who were both suffering from cancer and died within a short period of time to each other. He does not have any other family members and was very close to parents.

"He sought solace in alcohol and wants help because without it he will end up in a vicious circle."

Magistrates jailed Crofts for 16 weeks concurrent on each count and ordered him to pay an £80 victim surcharge. Guy Wildgoose, chairman of the bench, told him: "If you have problems with benefits you go to the benefits office, not decide to steal from shops."

Derby shoplifter Stuart Crofts returned to crime after his benefits were stopped


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