Mansfield thief with 270 previous convictions nabbed £2,000 of goods on two-month spree
A Mansfield thief with 270 previous convictions helped himself to £200 of booze during a two-month stealing spree in which he nabbed £2,000 of tools, toothbrushes and hair products, a court heard.
Simon Ward entered a restricted area at Ciao Bella, on Nottingham Road, and left without paying for the bottles he took on October 5, said Grace Turner, prosecuting.
He stole £52 of aftershave from TK Maxx on August 5, £45 of meat from Sainburys on August 10, and £805 of hair products from Sally's Salon Services on September 30.
He went on to take £95 of goods from TK Maxx on August 31, and £270 of items from Boots on October 4.
He stole £198 of tools and torches from Halfords on September 21, and returned to take £160 of spanners on September 29 and again on October 7, as well as £100 of socket sets on October 10.
Ward also pinched £80 of cleaning pods and toothbrushes from B&M Stores on October 2 and £124 of toothbrushes from the same store six days later.
During the spree of offending he breached a three-year criminal behaviour order three times and failed to sign the sex offenders register twice.
The court heard he has 110 previous convictions for 270 offences, of which 125 are theft and kindred offences, dating back to 1989.
Megan Wright, mitigating, said Ward was sorry for the losses he has caused businesses and individuals.
The offences took place during an “exceptionally difficult period” and he nearly died and lost his sight when hospitalised with sepsis.
She said Ward’s military service between 1990 and 1993 “formed part of his difficulties” but he says it wasn’t an excuse for his behaviour.
He has developed further health concerns while being on remand since October 13.
He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for seven years after urinating in the street, Ms Wright added.
Ward, aged 52, formerly of James Murray Mews, Mansfield, admitted 11 shop thefts, five breaches of a criminal behaviour order, three failures to notify police, and one burglary when he appeared at Mansfield Magisrates Court, on previous occasions.
On Tuesday he was committed to Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on November 24 as the magistrates ruled the likely sentence would exceed their powers.