A 32-year old man branded a “nuisance for shopkeepers” by the Recorder of Belfast was sentenced today (Monday) for a spate of thefts.
Alexander Patterson appeared at Belfast Crown Court via a videolink with HMP Maghaberry where he was handed a 15-month sentence comprising of three months in prison followed by a year on licence.
The father-of-four pleaded guilty to seven separate shoplifting offences committed in Newry and Belfast.
Read more: PSNI fear shoplifting will rise over coming months
Before she passed sentence, Judge Patricia Smyth was addressed by Crown barrister Garth Purvis, who set out Patterson’s shoplifting spree.
Mr Purvis revealed that June 28 last year Patterson and another man entered a store at the Quay’s Shopping Centre in Newry.
Bottles of Grey Goose vodka totalling £280 were stolen and the security tags were removed and left in the store.
At 10pm the following evening he walked into the Tesco store at Knocknagoney, lifted a 43 inch TV worth £299 then walked out of the store with it.
He carried out a further theft at a Tesco store on the Antrim Road in Belfast on July 11 last year and on this occasion he stole bottles of Southern Comfort valued at £108.
Patterson, with an address as Maghaberry, returned to the Tesco store at Knocknagoney on July 24 last year when he stole another TV worth £499.
Two days later, he and a second male targeted Sports Direct on the Boucher Road.
Just before 6pm, the pair walked in and filled a large bag full of football tops then walked back out without paying for the items which were valued at £2,600.
He committed two further offences in April this year. He stole garden furniture worth £300 from Home Bargains at Hillview Retail Park in Belfast on April 23 then returned to the same store the following day when he took more garden furniture.
Patterson was identified via CCTV footage and when he was arrested he made full admissions to police and told officers “I need help.”
A defence barrister accepted his client was a “prolific shoplifter” but one who now acknowledges he needs assistance.
Noting Patterson was a father of four, the barrister said: “He knows that if he is going to have any input in their lives, he needs to break the cycle of offending.”
As she sentenced Patterson, Judge Smyth told him: “You are a nuisance for shopkeepers and you cause significant harm to businesses by your constant thieving and shoplifting.”
Noting defence submissions indicated “underlying issues” that needed to be addressed and that Patterson has already served time in custody, the Judge imposed the 15-month sentence.
Telling Patterson she was structuring the sentence to allow him to benefit from the support of Probation, the Judge said she urged him to change his life and be there for his children.
READ NEXT:
Lanark Way rioter spared jail as barrister argues "this is society’s failing"
- 16-year-old caught by PSNI 'out for a spin with his pals' in a car
- 'This is Lenadoon': Community ensures no child will go without this Christmas
- West Belfast children become authors after launch of special book
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
