A PERSISTENT criminal who ignored final warnings from magistrates is now behind bars. 

Connor Weston was warned in January by a magistrate if he committed another offence in 2023 he could expect to jail, but within weeks had stolen again. 

Weston, of Canterbury Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, showed no emotion as he was led down to the cells by dock officers at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, (March 30). 

Worcester News: COURT: Nuisance thief Connor Weston appeared at HMP HewellCOURT: Nuisance thief Connor Weston appeared at HMP Hewell (Image: West Mercia Police)

Weston admitted four thefts from a shop. The court heard he stole:

  • Jack Daniels and tobacco, worth £100, from Ambleside News on November 6
  • Razor blades, valued at £79.96, from Farmfoods on November 21
  • Five bottles of alcohol worth £200 from Asda in Worcester on December 12 last year
  • Various items, worth £679.93, from Tesco's in Warndon Villages on March 2 this year

Weston also admitted theft from a motor vehicle.

That offence took place on December 13 last year when the 24-year-old dad stole a Makita cordless strimmer, a Makita LXT hedge strimmer and a petrol leaf blower - altogether worth £240 - from a vehicle in Worcester. 

Eleanor Peart, prosecuting, said there had been an element of planning in the thefts, with the value of items stolen totalling £1,299.

The prosecutor said an aggravating factor was Weston's extensive record of previous convictions. 

Miss Peart added the March offence was the one that breached his suspended sentence. 

In that offence, Weston ran out of a Tesco store with a trolley full of items without paying before being spotted by a member of staff who alerted police. 

Worcester News: THEFT: Connor Weston ran out of Tesco Warndon Villages with a trolley full of shoppingTHEFT: Connor Weston ran out of Tesco Warndon Villages with a trolley full of shopping (Image: Newsquest)

Miss Peart said the items were later recovered. 

Gary Harper, defending, said Weston's thieving last year was due to his heroin addiction, and the March offence took place because he had no money after Weston's benefits changed.

The solicitor argued although it would give Worcester shops a break if Weston was jailed, if the defendant was allowed to stay out of prison he could continue his rehabilitation. 

READ MORE: Connor Weston warned to expect jail if he commits a crime in 2023

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After lengthy deliberations, Jayne Burton, chairman of the magistrates bench, said: "Mr Weston you have been on quite a spree with all these offences."

She announced magistrates were activating the four-month jail sentence Weston received in January for possession of a knife, and added two months for his latest offences. 

Worcester News: JAILED: Connor Weston was sent to HMP Hewell by city magistratesJAILED: Connor Weston was sent to HMP Hewell by city magistrates

Weston said "love you" to supporters in the public gallery before beginning his journey to HMP Hewell.

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  • Eight other thefts from shops and an attempted theft Weston has been accused of were dropped by the crown. 

A Criminal Behaviour Order has also been applied for by the crown.

Mr Harper told magistrates that was being contested, with a hearing set for June 15 at Kidderminster Magistrates Court.