A career criminal has been locked up for his latest raft of offences including shoplifting, knife possession and smearing faeces on a camera in a police station cell.
Christopher Webster, who has 11 convictions for 224 offences on his record, stole corned beef, hair straighteners, jewellery and fragrances during a plethora of shoplifting offences.
The 42-year-old was found guilty of carrying a knife while in Darlington Memorial Hospital after he failed to turn up for his trial, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Charlie Thompson, prosecuting, said the serial offender stole goods from the Co-op and TK Maxx in July and August.
He said Webster had smeared excrement on a security camera inside a police cell following one of his arrests in July which resulted in it needing a deep clean.
Webster, of Headlam House, Darlington, pleaded guilty to shoplifting, criminal damage, assault an emergency worker, failure to surrender to court bail and possession of Class C drugs. He was found guilty of the bladed article offence.
Reece Williams, mitigating, said his client had a longstanding problem with drugs and alcohol which was central to his repeat offending.
He added: “He accepts that the issues result from him falling in with the wrong crowd and in recent years it has been exacerbated by the death of all of his immediate family.”
See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here
- Paralysed man speaks of impact as three people to be sentenced for armed attack
- Rioter set up checkpoint shouting ‘are you white?’ before setting bin alight
- Man had machete tucked in trousers when he confronted rioters attacking his home
Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access to the latest offer for annual or monthly subscription. Click here for details.
Recorder Tayrn Turner locked the repeat offender up for a total of 14 months for a raft of offences over a short period of time.
“When I say a raft of offences, I’m right in saying they total 11. They are also a variety of offences but I have to acknowledge they are all relatively low level with the exception of possession of a bladed article and assault on emergency worker,” she said.
“You have a long unattractive history of offending; I have read your pre-sentence report and it is quite clear to me that you have been beset by a number of difficulties.
“In the course of your lifetime you have amassed some 111 convictions for 224 offences.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel