A Craigavon man who stole over a thousand pounds worth of goods from Tesco and TK Maxx over two days will learn his fate in April.
Delaying the 25-year-old’s fate for a pre-sentence report to be produced, Deputy District Judge Kennedy warned: “If I’m dealing with this case and no compensation has been paid, the risk of custody is very, very serious.”
Carter Gilpin, of Westacres, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court charged with three counts of theft and two counts of going equipped with pliers for theft.
He was re-arraigned on a number of charges and entered guilty pleas.
The court heard that on September 25 last year, police received a report of two males shoplifting from Tesco in Craigavon.
Tesco security provided a description and the defendant was arrested for breach of court bail and theft. On his person two pairs of pliers were located and he was arrested in relation to other matters.
Tesco security then provided a statement and receipts for stolen goods which amounted to £283. CCTV showed both defendants filling a bag full of goods and leaving the store without attempting to pay.
Whilst conducting further enquiries, police viewed CCTV from TK Maxx from September 24 and 25.
On September 24, both men were seen on CCTV lifting items from shelves. The defendant was seen taking three coats to an estimated value of £150 to £270 and leaving the store.
On September 25, they were seen again on CCTV lifting a large number of items over a 15 to 20 minute period. They were seen removing labels, security tags and hangers and putting them into a black holdall.
The manager of TK Maxx provided a statement and a receipt of the stolen goods valued at £501.90. They also provided security tags and labels that had been discarded by the defendant.
On this date, the defendant could be seen wearing the same coat that had been stolen the previous day.
The items were not recovered and the total value of goods stolen in Tesco and Tk Maxx was £1,054.90.
The court heard that the co-defendant had been dealt with previously and a pre-sentence report was sought for Mr Gilpin.
Deputy District Judge Kennedy adjourned the case to April 5 for sentencing.
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