A serial thief who has amassed 224 offences on his shameful record has been given a chance to stay out of jail.
Nikki Stuart has long darkened the court's doors and served time behind bars for repeatedly targeting stores across the North East. During his latest shoplifting spree, the 43-year-old stole more than £800-worth of goods from Fenwick, Sainsbury's and Sports Direct.
However, rather than serving another jail sentence, Stuart was offered a lifeline and given a 12-month community order with a warning that, if he fails to comply with the order or re-offends, he'll end up back in a prison cell. Stuart appeared in custody at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Thursday to plead guilty to four counts of shop theft.
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Gregg Flaxon, prosecuting, said: "The defendant stole jackets from Fenwick, worth £487, on April 4 this year. The goods were recovered and there's no application for compensation for that.
"He also stole champagne from Sainsbury's on April 6 and goods from Sports Direct, worth £279.96, on March 17. The latest offence, on August 2, the defendant stole £38.50-worth of property from Sainsbury's. Those goods were also returned. It's the goods from Sports Direct that were not returned.
"In the latest offence, the defendant walked into Sainsbury's and was recognised by security. They approached him and said "We have seen what you've done, put the items back". There's some verbal resistance and then the defendant disappears."
Mr Flaxon added: "None of the offences are sophisticated in nature. However, clearly, there is some planning if he keeps on doing it."
The court heard that £69.99-worth of Stuart's loot from Sports Direct was recovered but the rest was not.
Liz Dunbar, defending, said Stuart had a long-standing problem with drugs. She added: "He has been stabbed recently. He also has mental health problems. He's also got learning difficulties."
Stuart, formerly of North Shields but not of Bosworth Gardens, in Heaton, was given a 12-month community order, with 35 days rehabilitation requirement where he must comply with any instructions of a Probation officer, attend appointments and participate in any activity as required. He must also pay a total of £248.97 compensation.
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