A PROLIFIC thief sighed in relief when he was told he would not be going to jail for stealing a golf club, and a Waitrose "trolley dash" stealing spree.
Robert Gibson admitted one charge of attempted theft from a shop and four thefts from a shop when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, (September 13).
Sumreen Afsar, prosecuting, outlined the offences the 47-year-old had committed, which included taking:
- Alcohol and meat from Waitrose, Droitwich, on August 13
- A golf club worth £419 from Ravens Meadow Golf Club, Worcester, on August 13
- Alcohol and meat from Waitrose on August 14
- Alcohol and razors from Waitrose on August 25
- The attempted theft of meat and alcohol, valued at £198.54, from Waitrose on August 28
Mrs Afsar argued there had been some degree of planning in the thefts, including Gibson dressing smartly and wearing sunglasses when he entered Ravens Meadow to steal the club when the shopkeeper had their back turned.
She said the thefts from Waitrose had been placed at around £500 each and added the attempted theft took place because Gibson had realised he was being watched by shop staff, so wasn't able to steal the items.
Robert Gibson was 'familiar with the court system' magistrates heard
The prosecutor added Gibson was "familiar with the court system" having committed 119 thefts - including five earlier this year for which he received a community order.
Mark Turnbull, defending Gibson, said his client was a heroin addict who had begun using more in August after splitting up with his partner.
Mr Turnbull explained Gibson had been at a "low ebb" in his life at the time, and was taken advantage of by a former prisoner who returned in his life.
The solicitor said the man drove him to the Waitrose store, telling him what to steal to pay off a debt he owed.
"This is not the type of offending he has usually engaged in," Mr Turnbull said.
"This type of 'trolley dash' is not common on his record."
Mr Turnbull said the thefts in Waitrose had been around £200 each and not the £500 estimated, and said "not all thieves are scruffy" on the remarks about his appearance.
Arguing he shouldn't be jailed Mr Turnbull added: "The prison sentences imposed on him (previously) didn't work.
"Prison would actually make matters worse, and increase the likelihood of future offending."
After 30 minutes of deliberation chairman of the magistrates bench, Peter Cound, told Gibson he was not going to jail.
Magistrates jailed Gibson, of Quay Street, Worcester, for 18 weeks, suspended for two years.
The chairman told him to complete 40 rehabilitation activity days and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.
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Gibson was also ordered to pay £600 in compensation to Morrisons and £419 to the golf club, added to £2,080 he already owes to the courts from previous offending.
Magistrates agreed it could continue to be deducted from his benefits.
In 2019 we reported Gibson was banned from entering Mountain Warehouse, Homebase and Ice Menswear after stealing items from those Worcester-based stores.
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