Colin French, who has 106 offences for theft alone on his record, targeted Sainsbury’s four times in 24 hours
Colin French, who has been jailed for shop theft and breaching a criminal behaviour order
One of Newcastle’s most prolific thieves is back in jail just days after being released from prison after he stole £700-worth of butter and food in just 24 hours. Colin French has spent much of his adult life in and out of prison and continues to prove that he can’t stop shoplifting.
With 106 offences for theft alone on his appalling record, the 27-year-old was made subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) in September last year, which banned him from entering any store belonging to his main target, Sainsbury’s. A court heard that, earlier this month, French was also locked up once more for shop theft and assault.
However, just days after his release, the career crook was back up to his old tricks and in his old stomping ground. In just 24 hours, French targeted the same Sainsbury’s store four times, helping himself to more than £700-worth of food and butter.
Easily identified from CCTV by both staff and the police, French, of no fixed abode but formerly of Kenton, was arrested and appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court in custody this week. He was locked-up for eight weeks after pleading guilty to four counts of shop theft and four of breaching a CBO.
Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said French, who already owes a staggering £7,300 to the courts, was banned from entering Sainsbury’s in September last year for two years under the terms of a CBO. Mrs Beck continued: “The witnesses confirm that the defendant enters Sainsbury’s on January 26 and 27 and makes off with items.
“On the first occasion, he took £150-worth of items, £165-worth butter on the second, 176.79-worth of cleaning products on the third and £300-worth of items on the fourth. The total value of the goods was £791.79.”
The court heard that French was last in the dock in January 2 this year, when he was given a prison sentence for shop theft and battery. Alanna Wesencraft, defending, said French had been attacked because he owed people money for drugs.
She added: “He owed individuals money and they located him. He entered Sainsbury’s because he used to go in there quite a lot and the staff recognise him.
“He knew it would result in him being recognised and arrested and taken back before the court, so it would get those individuals off his back.”
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