TX Maxx, Boots and ASDA thief faces longer wait to learn his fate

Paul Sheward, of Sansome Place, Worcester, previously admitted to stealing from Boots, TX Maxx, House of Fraser and ASDA.

Sheward turned up to Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday morning (February 20) for sentencing and knowing he could go to prison.

However, he was then turned away and told to attend in the afternoon when his case was scheduled. 

THIEF: Paul Sheward faces a wait to learn his fate (Image: West Mercia Police)

Previously his case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be completed. 

At the start of the hearing the 35-year-old's solicitor, Paul Stanley, told magistrates Sheward's appointment with the probation service had been set for earlier this month but Sheward had not attended after getting confused and going to rehabilitation service Cranstoun instead. 

"He got them [the appointments] the wrong way round," Mr Stanley said.

Mr Stanley said Sheward now knew the date of his appointment for the report and it was a joint application with probation to adjourn again. 

READ MORE: Prisoner Paul Sheward refused to participate in case hearing due to Worcester News court reporter being in court

READ MORE: Paul Sheward admits stealing £56,000 worth of silverware from Droitwich church and Worcester Warriors' Sixways Stadium burglary

"This man is on a suspended sentence so it is important you know everything about him," Mr Stanley added.

A probation service representative told the court she believed it had been a "genuine mix-up".

Andrew Mitchinson, prosecuting, made no observations adding it was a matter for magistrates. 

Sheward, who wore a Covid mask throughout the hearing, was asked to stand before the chairman told him to return to the court for sentence on March 20. 

THEFT: Sheward stole £234 of cosmetics from Boots, Worcester

Sheward's string of thefts in Worcester began on January 4 this year when he stole cosmetics, valued at £234, belonging to Boots.

On January 26 this year when he stole £120 worth of razor blades from ASDA. 

On January 27 he stole £40 worth of men's shirts from TK Maxx and on the same day  Sheward stole Versace Perfume, worth £74, belonging to House of Fraser. 

Sheward has also admitted failing to attend court on January 26. 

CASE: Paul Sheward was sent away from Worcester Magistrates Court after turning up early

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As part of his conditional bail, Sheward is banned from the four stores. 

Sheward, who has previous convictions for robbery, battery, and assault, has appeared numerous times in the Worcester News including stealing £56,000 worth of silverware from St Andrew's Church, Droitwich, and burgling Worcester Warriors' Sixways Stadium stealing televisions in a single week in 2018. 

That same year he refused to participate in a court hearing because a Worcester News reporter was in the courtroom.