Prolific shoplifter stole hundreds of pounds worth of booze from supermarkets in Workington

Nicky Hewitson, 35, of Roper Street, Workington admitted a number of theft offences involving alcohol when he appeared at Workington Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The court heard Hewitson had entered Morrisons in Workington on August 9 and stole two bottles of Glenfiddich whisky, to the value of £74.

He then attempted to steal 10 bottles of wine worth £200 from M&S in Workington on August 11 but was stopped from doing so.

Hewitson stole 11 bottles of wine, to the value of £120 from M&S in Workington on August 12.

On the same day, he attempted to take the security tag from a bottle of Jack Daniels whisky at Morrisons in Workington, but in doing so, dropped the bottle and smashed it.

Then on August 15, he stole five bottles of whisky, to the value of  £177, from Morrisons in Workington.

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Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the defendant had an “appalling” history of dishonesty offences.

She said he was interviewed but made “no comment” and refused to leave his cell. He said the police asking questions was “making his head worse”.

Hewitson pleaded guilty to three charges of theft from a shop, a charge of attempted theft from a shop and a charge of criminal damage.

John Cooper, defending, said: “He knows what his record is. I think the only thing I could say is he has a fixed address since his mum agreed to have him back.

“It’s shoplifting. It’s a guilty plea.”

Hewitson’s probation officer said he had only been seen once and was not engaging with Recovery Steps or collecting his prescriptions.

Magistrates said they were in no other position but to activate a custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to a total of 12 weeks in prison.

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