Man caught selling stolen watches

Marks and Spencer raid ends in arrest

A MAN with an extensive criminal record for shoplifting was caught selling stolen watches in Newbury town centre.

Town magistrates heard on Thursday, September 17, that a member of the public alerted police, who arrested 42-year-old Nigel John Powell.

Mr Powell, formerly of The Broadway, Newbury, and currently of no fixed address, admitted stealing wristwatches worth £165.49 from Marks and Spencer in Newbury on September 2.

He further admitted breaching two conditional discharges imposed for similar offences.

Adonis Daniel, defending, conceded his client had an “extensive history of offending”, but urged magistrates to impose a financial, rather than custodial, penalty.

A probation officer told magistrates that Mr Powell was currently being prescribed the heroin substitute, methadone.

Magistrates made him subject to a 12-month community order with supervision requirement and 20-day rehabilitation requirement.

He was also ordered to pay a £150 criminal courts charge and a £60 victim surcharge.