A man who stole over £400 worth of electrical goods during the course of five visits to Tesco in Lurgan has been handed a suspended prison term.
Sentencing the 32-year-old, the district judged commented: “This was wholly unacceptable behaviour. I have no doubt that he would have carried on regardless were he not caught. The fact that he had not told his employers is also a gross act of dishonesty.”
Perrie Jordan Rodgers, of Shackleton Walk in Newtownards, appeared for sentencing on five counts of theft at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via videolink from his solicitor’s office.
Prosecution outlined that on August 2, at 10.30am, police were called to Tesco in Lurgan after staff had detained a shoplifter.
The male, who was later identified as the defendant, had attempted to leave the store with bluetooth speakers and solar lights to the value of £60, with making any effort to pay.
Staff suspected Rodgers of being involved in four previous thefts, due to him matching a male on CCTV, wearing similar clothing and arriving in a similar vehicle.
The defendant stole electrical goods to a total value of £406 from the Lurgan store over these dates.
When interviewed, Rodgers admitted four of the five thefts claiming he could not remember attending the store on July 20.
Defence solicitor Simon Chambers informed the court that his client had provided him with the funds to discharge full restitution.
He stated that Rodgers was in full-time employment, had made early admissions and had simply “taken a wrong turn”.
District Judge Bernie Kelly described the offences as “pre-planned and deliberate”, due to the defendant having to travel to Lurgan from Newtownards on all five occasions.
Mr Chambers stated that his client had been in Lurgan for work and commented he had been “relieved” when he was finally caught.
District Judge Kelly commented that Rodgers had then committed these offence whilst “in the course of his employment” and established he was yet to inform his employer of the proceedings.
She stated: “This was wholly unacceptable behaviour. I have no doubt that he would have carried on regardless were he not caught. The fact that he had not told his employers is also a gross act of dishonesty.”
Rodgers was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for two years, while a compensation order for £406 was also made.
