SHOP thefts cost retailers millions of pounds annually and judging by the offenders appearing in North East courts this year, meat and alcohol products are high on thieves' agenda.
According to figures published in May from the British Retail Consortium's Crime Survey 2021, the overall cost of shoplifting, taking into account both losses and crime prevention costs for retail, now stands at £2.5 billion, up from £2.2 billion the previous year.
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Here are four Darlington people sentenced in court in recent months charged with stealing from shops including the M&S in Northallerton, the Co-op in Leyburn and B&M in Darlington town centre.
Paul Alan Hardy, 45, of North Road in Darlington
Hardy was jailed for four weeks at York Magistrates Court on April 14 after pleading guilty to stealing multiple items from the M&S food store in Northallerton.
The court heard that on September 27, 2021, he stole gin, meat, and various deli items worth £148.
He was also ordered to pay compensation of £148.
Magistrates imposed a prison sentence saying the offence was so serious because it was aggravated by Hardy's record of previous offending
Claire Louise Trainor, 42, of Brinkburn Road, Darlington
Trainor was given a 24-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to shop theft at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on January 24.
The court heard she stole alcohol and cleaning products worth £77 from the Co-op shop in Leyburn on December 22 last year.
Alongside the discharge, Trainor was also ordered to pay £107 in court costs and charges.
Rebecca Kelly, 37 of Minors Crescent, Darlington
Kelly pleaded guilty at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on February 7 to stealing a bottle of gin worth £13.99 from the B&M store on Darlington's Northgate.
She stole the gin on January 25 and magistrates ordered her to pay £67 in court costs and charges along with a 12-month conditional discharge.
Raymond Coglan, 37, of Frocett Street, Darlington
Coglan also pleaded guilty at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on February 7 to stealing a bottle of gin worth £13.99 from the B&M store on Darlington's Northgate on January 25.
He was given a community order with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement that must be completed by August 6 this year.
Coglan was also ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge.
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