Fenton Co-op burglar Simon Thompson caught by his own footprints

BURGLAR Simon Thompson climbed through a vent to gain entry to a store before stealing nearly £3,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco.

The 34-year-old removed the external vent at the Co-op store in Fenton in the early hours of November 24 last year, North Staffordshire magistrates heard yesterday.

He then climbed through and once he was inside the store he filled his holdall with the cigarettes and tobacco.

Some stamps, of a value unknown, were also taken.

Wow look at this!!!

Hylands Ltd & Panasonic Store

View details

Print voucher

8kg 1400 spin A+++ rated washer
with a full 6 year warranty - yes SIX years
delivered FAST & FREE
was OVER £600 - For a limited time ONLY £449.90
Amazing value!!!

Terms: 8kg 1400 spin A+++ rated washer
with a full 6 year warranty - yes SIX years
delivered FAST & FREE
was OVER £600 - For a limited time ONLY £449.90
Amazing value!!!

Contact: 01782 342609

Valid until: Saturday, June 01 2013

Prosecutor Lynn Warrington said the defendant was seen walking away from the Co-op by CCTV operators and police were alerted.

Thompson had left his haul in the bag in some nearby bushes.

It was later recovered and the tobacco and cigarettes, worth £2,861, were returned to the Co-op.

The defendant was linked to the burglary because his footprints were left on the counter after he jumped over to get to the cigarettes.

He answered no comment to all questions in his police interview.

But the father, of Ashworth Street, Fenton, later pleaded guilty to burglary and possession of a locking knife.

Scott Ashdown, mitigating, said Thompson was under the influence of drugs at the time and his decision making was affected.

But he conceded the defendant had a holdall and items which allowed him to gain entry to the store and he accepted they indicated a degree of intention.

"He was not thinking at all because drugs were playing a part in his lack of decision making," said Mr Ashdown. "He left his footprints all over the counter which is indicative he really was not thinking what he was doing."

Mr Ashdown said an immediate custodial sentence would disrupt Thompson's rehabilitation.

He urged magistrates to consider sentencing the defendant to a community order or to suspend any jail sentence.

"He is still using drugs and he needs that final little bit of help," said Mr Ashdown.

"A suspended sentence would allow him the best opportunity to address the cause of his offending.

"Drug issues are still causing him difficulties. They have got a hold of him. The only way he is going to address that is for him to have the intervention a rehabilitation requirement would do."

Magistrates said the offences passed the custody threshold because of the value of the goods stolen, the premeditation and Thompson's previous record. They sentenced the defendant to 12 weeks, suspended for 18 months, with 18 months of supervision, a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement and an enhanced thinking skills programme.

Thompson must also pay £85 costs.