Alfreton thief faces jail if he re-offends

A prolific thief who was caught shop-lifting has been warned if he commits another offence he could end up back behind bars.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.Chesterfield magistrates' court.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Thursday, May 14, how Craig Goodwin, of Haddon Close, Alfreton, was caught stealing five pairs of sunglasses valued at £167.90 from Boots on High Street, Alfreton.

Prosecuting solicitor John Cooper said: “A PCSO was viewing the CCTV at Boots after a high frequency of shoplifting at the store when the officer’s attention was drawn to the defendant. Goodwin was seen at the fragrance area and then he went to the sunglasses display and pulled the alarm tags of the glasses and put them in his carrier bag.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Cooper told how the PCSO pursued Goodwin to nearby Institution Lane where Goodwin immediately admitted the theft and showed the officer the sunglasses in the bag. Goodwin pleaded guilty to the theft after the incident on May 6.

The probation service told the court Goodwin had not received benefits following his release from prison and had committed the theft to support his sister who had given him somewhere to live.

He told police he had been stupid and planned to sell the sunglasses to buy cigarettes for his sister.

The court heard how Goodwin has 108 previous convictions including 54 for theft or kindred offences with many linked to heroin abuse.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Defence solicitor Robert Sowter said Goodwin’s sister had asked him to return some goods and he went to buy her cigarettes but some of the change he had received was in Euros so he stole the glasses to buy the cigarettes.

Mr Sowter added: “The majority of his offences have been drug-related but he is a making a real attempt to come off drugs.”

Magistrates sentenced Goodwin to a 12 month community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement but warned that if he re-offends he could face custody. Goodwin was also ordered to pay a £37 fine, a £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs and a £150 court charge.