A bungling burglar was snared after he was captured on camera stealing £4,500-worth of vapes and cigarettes from a shop.
John Sanderson and two others broke into Grainger News, in Newcastle City Centre, when the store was closed and loaded up bags with goods from behind the counter. A court heard that, as well as the smoking products, the 34-year-old and his accomplices also helped themselves to the till.
Unbeknown to the hapless crooks, they were caught on CCTV both in and outside the shop and two of the three were identified. Sanderson, of Milway, in Deckham, Gateshead, was arrested and appeared before magistrates in Newcastle to plead guilty to one count of burglary of a non-dwelling.
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Prosecutor, Greg Flaxen, said the offence happened on July 25 last year and involved Sanderson and two others. Instead of outlining the case, Mr Flaxen showed the court the CCTV footage, which showed two men breaking into Grainger News and loading bags with vapes, cigarettes and the till before leaving. A camera then also captured three men walking away from the store.
Mr Flaxen added: "The burglary involves three people - two go inside and one stays outside to watch. The defendant has 73 convictions for 131 offences. He's got a terrible record. He has two burglaries on his record. I would submit that there was some planning for this offence as there's three of them involved."
Liz Dunbar, defending, said Sanderson had been living rough at the time, adding: "He was taken advantage of by other persons involved in this. His personal benefit from this was a few packets of cigarettes."
Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report but warned Sanderson that he was facing a possible prison sentence. He was released on unconditional bail to next appear back before the same court on March 30.
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