Shoplifter re-arrested hours after prison release

Out of jail....back into court

IT did not take long for a prolific Newbury shoplifter to go back to his old ways after being released from prison.

In fact it took less than a day before Jorden Paul Davis was caught stealing again, town magistrates heard on Thursday.

Helen Waite, prosecuting, said police officers identified the 25-year-old, of Montague Drive, from CCTV footage after he stole two bottles of whisky from an Aldi store.

Mr Davis admitted stealing the spirits, together worth £20, on April 5.

He has a “lengthy offending history,” concluded Ms Waite.

Mike Davis, defending, said his client had been released from prison just the day before he was arrested for this latest shoplifting offence.

He added: “After his release he had a bit of a drink, which wasn’t a great idea.

“He didn’t have any money. He was, in fact, recalled to prison again for other offences afterwards.

“He was only released again yesterday.”

Magistrates pointed out that Mr Davis had also been imprisoned for four weeks for shoplifting offences last June.

Mike Davis replied that this had been because the sentencing was “cumulative” – in other words, for a combination of offences, including assault and breaching a restraining order.

After retiring to confer, magistrates made Mr Davis subject to a 12-month conditional discharge.

In addition he was ordered to pay £85 costs, £20 compensation plus a £15 statutory victim surcharge.