Shoplifter jailed after distraction theft proves final straw for court

A PROLIFIC thief has been jailed for four months for his part in stealing nearly £200 of possessions from a shopping trolley in a distraction offence.

Craig White (37), of Andrew Lane, New Milton, admitted targeting Malcolm Franchi, a man in his 60s, at an address in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, on 27th September.

Poole Magistrates’ Court heard White was among a group of men who approached Mr Franchi around 3.45pm that day.

One of the group was said to have distracted the victim, while the contents of his shopping trolley were stolen. This included £80 in cash and a £100 watch, as well as a bank card, a bus pass, a notebook and pens.

White also admitted the offence had been committed in breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed for 10 previous theft offences and one of failing to surrender to police bail.

The previous thefts, which took place at various locations between April 2018 and June this year, saw items taken including food and alcohol.

They ranged from £20 of lamb steaks taken from Lymington’s Co-op petrol station shop to £72 of toys from Tesco supermarket in New Milton.

Implementing two months of the three-month suspended term for the breach, the Bench added another two months for the new theft offence.

The defendant was also ordered to pay £180 compensation to Mr Franchi.